Nadal stages spectacular comeback at Indian Wells, Medvedev cruises through in first match as World No. 1

Rafael Nadal earned a stunning comeback win over Sebastian Korda to extend his unbeaten run in 2022, while Daniil Medvedev dispatched Tomas Machac 6-3, 6-2 to progress to the third round at Indian Wells.

Published : Mar 13, 2022 09:04 IST , INDIAN WELLS

Rafael Nadal celebrates his win over Sebastian Korda on Sunday.
Rafael Nadal celebrates his win over Sebastian Korda on Sunday.
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Rafael Nadal celebrates his win over Sebastian Korda on Sunday.

Rafael Nadal roared back from 5-2 down in the third set to defeat American Sebastian Korda 6-2, 1-6, 7-6(3) in the second round at Indian Wells on Saturday and remains unbeaten in 2022.

After cruising through the first set in 35 minutes, the Spaniard struggled to cope with a more aggressive approach from the 21-year-old, who stormed through the second.

Nadal's normally solid serve let him down in the third and he committed his seventh double fault to fall two breaks down in front of a stunned crowd under blue skies in the Southern California desert before fighting back to force a tiebreak.

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The veteran was then much more composed and sealed the win when Korda's backhand landed wide. "Everyone knows this is my favourite place to play and it is amazing to play in front of all you guys," Nadal, who has won the tournament three times, told the supportive crowd on Stadium One.

"I feel very lucky today to be through. Sebastian was playing some fantastic tennis. He had his chances, but that's tennis," he added.

The loss will sting for Korda, who grew up idolising the 21-time Grand Slam champion and even named his cat after him. With the win, Nadal is now undefeated in 16 matches this year.

- Medvedev storms past Machac -

Newly-crowned world number one Daniil Medvedev dispatched Tomas Machac 6-3, 6-2 on Saturday to cruise into the third round of Indian Wells.

Medvedev's powerful serve and almost impenetrable defence proved too much for the Czech qualifier to handle on a hot day in the Southern California desert.

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The Russian received a warm welcome from the crowd on Stadium One when he was introduced as the world's top men's player after the match. "This is the first time I have heard this and people clapped so thanks a lot for the nice welcome," Medvedev said.

The 26-year-old U.S. Open champion is seeking his first win at the Masters 1000 tournament.

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