Rafael Nadal began his quest for a 21st Grand Slam singles title at the Australian Open with a 6-2, 7-5 6-2, 7-5 win over Ricardas Berankis in a practice tournament at Melbourne Park on Thursday done. ,
Nadal, recovering from the coronavirus, showed no signs of sluggishness at the Rod Laver Arena, although he broke down early in the second set and again when he served for the match.
"It's only the first match after a while. To be honest, I've been going through some tough, challenging moments for the past year and a half," Nadal said. But in general I am very happy to be back in the competition. ,
"Of course it's important to start with a win, [which] gives me a chance to play again tomorrow, and that's the main thing at the moment because I haven't played for so long."
Earlier, former French Open champion Iga Swiatek advanced to the Adelaide International quarter-finals with a surprisingly easy 6-1, 6-2 win over 2021 US Open runner-up Leyla Fernandez.
Fifth seed Swiatek joins top-ranked Ash Barty in the last eight and will play two-time Australian Open winner Victoria Azarenka, who defeated Priscilla Honn 6-3, 7-5.
Barty will play the winner of Thursday night's match between fellow Australian Ajla Tomljaovic and 2020 Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin.
Seventh-seeded Elena Rybakina and American Shelby Rogers, who defeated No. 3 seed Maria Sakkari, have already set up a quarterfinal match.
Other last-eight matchups will include Kaja Juvan, who defeated No. 2-ranked Aryna Sabalenka against Misaki Doi or Anastasia Gasanova in the second round.
"I was feeling really confident," Sweetek said. "And I'm so glad I could get over it really quickly and I didn't let the focus go."
The Adelaide and Melbourne tournaments are two of six tune-up events to be held in Australia this week, starting January 17 ahead of the season-opening Major at Melbourne Park.
Second seed and two-time Grand Slam singles champion Simona Halep defeated Elena-Gabriella Russe 6-2, 6-2 to reach the quarter-finals of the WTA 500 tournament being played in Melbourne.