Rafael Nadal resumed his impressive run at the 2024 Madrid Open on Monday, defeating Pedro Cachin 6-1, 6-7(5), 6-3 to reach the fourth round of a circuit event for the first time since 2022. The Spaniard is a five-time champion in Madrid and has shown flashes of his vintage form against Cachin in front of a raucous home crowd at Manolo Santana Stadium.
The 37-year-old was pushed hard by Cachin, who won his sole tour-level clay title in Gstaad last year, but the lefty delivered well in the third set. After losing the second set, Nadal found extra whip and power off the forehand wing in the decider, while also seeming physically strong, to take a hard-fought triumph after three hours and four minutes.
Notably, 22-time Grand Slam winner, Nadal is playing in his third tournament of the year, after losing in the second round in Barcelona last week. With his win over World No.91 Cachin, Nadal extended his clay-court record against players outside the top 50 of the ATP Rankings to 162-1 since 2005. His only defeat in 19 years came in Vina del Mar against Argentine Horacio Zeballos, ranked 73rd.
Cachin, on the other hand, had lost 15 tour-level matches before he arrived in Madrid but fought courageously to put pressure on the former World No.1. Nadal holds a 59-14 tournament record in Madrid and will aim to reach his 10th consecutive quarter-final in the Spanish capital when he takes on Czech player Jiri Lehecka in tomorrow’s (May 1) round-of-16 encounter.
The 22-year-old Lehecka defeated Brazilian qualifier Thiago Monteiro in straight sets 6-4, 7-6(7) to reach the fourth round at an ATP Masters 1000 event for the second time. Young Lehecka has never faced Nadal.
Some moments were good, some moments not good, but I found a way to go through. In the third set, even with some mistakes, I was able to be a little more unpredictable and that probably changed the match, Nadal said after winning a grueling battle. I am enjoying it. Let’s see how I wake up tomorrow, the Spaniard Nadal said on his fitness.
I don’t know. Day by day I am enjoying playing at home, it means everything to me. I am trying my best to keep dreaming. Tomorrow is another day to keep dreaming. To keep playing in front of this amazing crowd and to me, that means everything, he added.
