Nadal pushed to limits in 3-hour victory over Cachin at Madrid

After more than three hours of intense play, Rafael Nadal emerged victorious and optimistic from his match at the Madrid Open, overcoming Pedro Cachin 6-1, 6-7 (5), 6-3 on Monday. This victory marks a significant test for Nadal, who is aiming for a record sixth title at this clay-court event and advanced to the round of 16.

Post-match, Nadal expressed cautious optimism about his physical condition, emphasizing the importance of assessing his recovery the next day. “It’s positive, now I don’t feel that something went wrong on my body, but I need to wait until tomorrow, being 100% honest,” he shared, highlighting his continuous effort to dream and perform before his home crowd.

Next, Nadal is set to compete against 31st-ranked Jiri Lehecka, as he continues to gauge his readiness for consecutive play days, crucial for his competitive performance. “I don’t know if I am in that moment yet,” Nadal remarked, reflecting on his ongoing journey to full match fitness.

The 37-year-old Spanish player, a 22-time Grand Slam champion, is working his way back into form in preparation for the upcoming French Open. This tournament follows his participation in two matches at Barcelona, after which he was skeptical about his physical state. However, his performance in Madrid, including three consecutive wins, suggests a promising rebound.

Nadal’s match against Cachin showed him in good form initially, though he experienced some resistance in the second set which Cachin took to a tiebreaker. In the final set, despite appearing tired and less consistent, Nadal secured the win with his strategic play and the support of the local spectators in Caja Magica.

Reflecting on the match, Nadal said, “I took more risks in the third set, but it’s hard after so many months without competing. I don’t know how I’m going to wake up. But I’m already happy for having won three matches in a row.”

The match ended with a heartfelt moment when Cachin requested Nadal’s shirt, which he graciously gave after their exchange at the net.

In other tournament news, top-seeded Jannik Sinner overcame Pavel Kotov despite not being at his best, advancing in the tournament along with third-seeded Daniil Medvedev, who narrowly escaped defeat. Madison Keys triumphed over Coco Gauff in a challenging all-American matchup, advancing to her first Madrid quarterfinal, and Iga Swiatek continued her quest for her first Madrid title with a dominant performance against Sara Sorribes Tormo.