Madrid, April 28 -- Rafael Nadal continued with his recovery from injury and gained revenge for his second-round defeat in the Barcelona Open when he beat Alex de Minaur 7-6 (6), 6-3 in the second round of the Mutua Madrid Open.
De Minaur ended Nadal's hopes in Barcelona and the rematch allowed the 37-year-old Spanish former World number one to show that he is recovering his form and stamina.
In front of a highly partizan crowd, Nadal claimed a draining first set after a tense tie-break, but whereas in Barcelona, he faded badly in the second set due to a lack of fitness, in Madrid he was able to continue with his high-level and claim the second set 6-3.
"I have had some difficult months at a professional level, but I have always got up ...