Rafael Nadal vs. Carlos Alcaraz, The Netflix Slam Live: Nadal makes a mistake on the forehand down the line return while serving for the set, but he somehow produces back-to-back aces.
The 37-year-old receives a set point as Alcaraz overhits his forehand return. In forty-eight minutes, Nadal wins the first set.
Another Alcaraz quick service game. The 20-year-old has a couple of aces but is still a break behind in the opening set. [Alcaraz 5-3, Nadal]With his serve and volley and later his volley smash, Rafael Nadal turns up the heat. He gains 30-0. is rejected on the following point by the net cord.
Alcaraz recovers to even the score at zero. A chance for the twenty-year-old. Nadal, though, disputes. Though he had some difficulty in this game, he managed to go out with a hold of serve.[Alcaraz 5-2 Nadal]
With his serve and volley and later his volley smash, Rafael Nadal turns up the heat. He gains 30-0. is rejected on the following point by the net cord.
Alcaraz recovers to even the score at zero. A chance for the twenty-year-old. Nadal, though, disputes. Though he had some difficulty in this game, he managed to go out with a hold of serve. [Alcaraz 5-2 Nadal]After Alcaraz misses a volley, Nadal and the latter are all grinning. Rafa is definitely in disbelief. Alcaraz used the drop shot for the first time.
Nadal answered, but with the court open to him, Alcaraz was unable to take advantage. Alcaraz recovers, scoring four points in a row to write a comfortable hold.
[Alcaraz 4-2 Nadal]Nadal makes a couple of mistakes now, but he recovers with an ace. During the change of ends, Alcaraz, meantime, had his racquet adjusted to a new model with tighter strings in order to get greater control.
Nadal leads 30–15, but Alcaraz’s first double fault of the game lets him even the score. Nadal maintains his serve.
[Alcaraz 4-1 Nadal]Alcaraz answers the serve break with a crisp crosscourt backhand winner. The forehand return flew beyond the baseline, giving Nadal the opportunity to take the ball on as he attempted to rush towards the net.
What a great rally between the two, with Nadal’s powerful backhand comeback in particular. When Alcaraz made a forehand error on the return, Nadal led 40–30.
Nadal uses a trademark Rafa forehand to negate the deuce. Whoa, what a shot! Vegas loses it all. Nadal’s overhead no-look smash. Once more, he holds.
[Nadal 3-0 Alcaraz]Although it’s an exhibition match, players have the option to protest the umpire’s call. The first two points are won by Nadal, but Alcaraz’s serve on the backhand causes a mistake.
He then delivers an ace in response. Nonetheless, the match’s opening break point went to the 22-time Slam champion. Alcaraz commits a double fault before he converts.
[Nadal 2-0 Alcaraz]What a way for Nadal to get things going! After a protracted rally, Nadal finally wins the opening point with an overhead volley.
On the next point, though, he makes a mistake on the forehand. Completes a 30-all with a magnificent ace. Eventually, the older Spaniard retains serve.
[Alcaraz 1-0 Nadal]
