Photo Credit:Reuters
Rafael Nadal's loses in straight sets to Alex de Minaur crushing his hopes of a big run on potentially his last appearance at the Barcelona Open.
Rafael Nadal's comeback came to an end as he was beaten 7-5 6-1 by Alex de Minaur at the Barcelona Open on Wednesday.
This was his second match after picking up an injury in January but struggled to keep up with De Minaur, who is enjoying his best season on the ATP Tour yet after climbing into the top 10 on the rankings.
As for Nadal, he could next play at the Madrid Open at the end of next week in what could be his final season before retirement.
Nadal gave Minaur a break of his own to make it 3-3 before the next four service games were shared. However, De Minaur continued to make good use of the drop shot and broke Nadal then held serve to win a 67-minute first set.
Momentum was now firmly with De Minaur as the Australian missed a breakpoint chance at the start of the third but broke Nadal in the third game to take a 2-1 lead.
Britain's Jack Draper made an awesome comeback against Germany's Rudolf Molleker to book a spot in the quarter-finals of the Bavarian International in Munich. Draper lost the opening set but came back from a rain delay renewed with energy and aggression as he won 4-6 6-1 6-1.
Wild card Molleker started off well as he won the longer baseline rallies and capitalized on the only breakpoint chances of the first set to go 3-2 up and went on to hold his serve.
Rain made the ball heavy and seemingly played into the German's hands in the set but play was stopped for 45 minutes ahead of the second set due to the wet weather.
Draper broke to go 3-1 ahead after some brilliant play at the net and continued to be on the front foot as he won the remaining games in a quick 26-minute set.
A break at the start of the deciding set ensured Draper was now favorite and he carried the momentum for the remainder of the match by rattling off four games in a row to beat Molleker on his opponent's home turf.Draper will face Taylor Fritz or Alejandro Moro Canas in the last eight on Friday.
Lewis Musonye
