Carlos Alcaraz reports Rafael Nadal loses his comeback match, but he doesn’t have any hip problems. Netflix Takedown
Rafael Nadal was defeated by Carlos Alcaraz 3-6, 6-4, 14-12 to win the Netflix Slam.
In their exhibition match, dubbed The Netflix Slam, Carlos Alcaraz defeated Rafael Nadal 3-6, 6-4, 14-12 on Sunday in Las Vegas.
It was an exciting and suspenseful drama. After suffering an injury in Brisbane that kept him out of the Australian Open, Rafael Nadal returned to competition. Due to a hip injury, he lost nearly a full year playing tennis before returning to the Brisbane International.
Although it was anticipated that Nadal would play again in February at the Qatar Open, he chose not to. Nadal gave a solid performance at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino, and following the match, he said he did well, winning the opening set against Alcaraz.
In the match tiebreak, he also had the endurance to save five match points before Alcaraz ultimately prevailed. It was replete with encouraging signals for Nadal ahead of Indian Wells, the three-time champion there as well.
He finished second in his most recent 2022 competition, falling to Taylor Fritz in the championship match.
On Thursday, Nadal will play his opening match of the competition, and Alcaraz will receive a bye. Alcaraz, who suffered a right ankle injury at the Rio Open in February, saw this match as a major test as well.
After winning Wimbledon last year, he hasn’t won a Grand Slam championship, so he will be trying to build on that success.
Nadal jumped off to an early 5-2 lead in the opening set. Subsequently, Alcaraz managed to maintain the match, but Nadal dominated with three aces to win the game and first set, 6-3.
But in the second set, Alcaraz upped his game and had different ideas. After the youthful Spaniard jumped out to a 3-0 lead, Nadal tied the score at 1-1.
He forced a deuce in the following game, but Alcaraz held his nerve and won 4-1. Subsequently, Nadal managed to hold onto three break points.
Alcaraz took the first set 6-4 thanks to a spectacular drop shot. He then leveled the scores with a solid forehand, forcing a 10-point tiebreaker.
Serving first, Alcaraz took the opening mini-break to take a 3-1 lead. However, Nadal retaliated, and the critical moment arrived at 7–7. Alcaraz took the lead 9–7 when Nadal missed a good shot.
However, Nadal took the following point and made it 9-9 with a forehand. Alcaraz secured his sixth match point when the score reached 12-12, and he ultimately ended the match with a 14-12 victory in the tie-breaker.
