RAFA Nadal needed this one. He may well have needed it more than his Scottish opponent. The 29-year-old Mallorcan declared himself content last night with his biggest win of a troubled season then - somewhat ominously for the rest of the tennis tour - admitted it was just the beginning.
This calendar year has been the first since 2005 in which the 29-year-old has won neither a Grand Slam title nor a Masters 1000, his 19 defeats during this 12-month period the most during his entire 14-year career. It has been a slow burn for this Spaniard to re-establish himself from illness and injury but on this evidence he is getting there. His first victory against a top two player since Roland Garros in 2014 was something to treasure, his redemption rather surprisingly arriving indoors, where he has won just one tournament, compared to 46 outside. It was certainly an altogether more pleasant than his experience 12 months ago, when he was getting his appendix removed.
"It was an important victory because it put me in a good position for the semifinals, and at the same time I had a big day against a great player in a tough surface," said Nadal. "I am just happy with the way I played today, happy with the way I am working. It is another step for me, to be able to play at that level against such a great player is good news. The last four tournaments, the positive results, the good feelings on court in terms of enjoying myself, has been much better. But it is just the beginning."
The World No 5 said he feels 'free' when he goes on court now, free to dry to damage his opponent, rather than fretting about missing the lines. He certainly inflicted punishment on the Scot yesterday, a man who he has now beaten on 16 of their 22 career meetings. "This year I have just been worried about how to hit the ball to not miss rather than try to hit the ball where I need to hit it to damage the opponent or compete," he said. "This year I have been more worried about myself than the opponents for a lot of matches. But that makes it impossible to compete at the highest level. Today I felt free. I feel enjoyment on court. That don't mean I am going to play well in every match. I go day by day. It is late in the year but I will try to finish the year with that positive feeling. That helps to try to start next year in better shape."
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