Rafael Nadal vs Dominic Thiem LIVE: Brisbane International result as Spaniard makes tennis return
The 37-year-old Spaniard was in impressive form as he dismissed Thiem 7-5 6-1 in his first match in almost 12 months
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Rafael Nadal marked his singles comeback after being out injured for nearly a year with a convincing 7-5 6-1 victory over Austrian former world number three Dominic Thiem in the Brisbane International first round.
The 22-times grand slam champion had arthroscopic surgery last June after injuring his left hip flexor during his second round defeat by Mackenzie McDonald at the Australian Open in early 2023.
Nadal returned to competitive tennis in the new season on Sunday and crashed to a doubles defeat while partnering retired veteran Marc Lopez but showed glimpses of his top form ahead of the first grand slam of the season.
The 37-year-old looked razor sharp again during his latest meeting with qualifier Thiem in a rematch of their 2018 and 2019 French Open finals which he won, as he ramped up the pressure and claimed the opening set with a break.
Roared on by fans inside a heaving Pat Rafter Arena, Nadal grabbed an early break in the second set with a superb backhand pass and barely looked back as he racked up a 5-1 lead before closing out the match on serve.
Relive all the action from the Brisbane International below
Nadal 5-4 Thiem*
A big winner from Thiem to start the game but a great response from Nadal and the first real signs of emotion as he pumps his first after his deft backhand volley levels it up at 15-15.
That will get the crowd going! The Spaniard opens up his body and puts every bit of energy into a ripping forehand which flies down the line and past Thiem. This match is really starting to crank up now.
Thiem almost clocks Nadal with a passing effort as he pulls it back to 40-30 but an ace from Nadal means we still haven’t reached deuce yet in this first set.
*Nadal 4-4 Thiem
Not much Nadal can do there as Thiem serves out wide before thundering a vicious forehand into the opposite corner. The Spaniard is chasing dust once again as Thiem smashes a volley past the Spaniard to move 40-15 up in this game.
Nadal goes long with his second-serve return and that’s the game. All level at 4-4.
Nadal 4-3 Thiem*
Some errors follow from Thiem on the background, allowing Nadal to race through his service game to love. Precious few opportunities to break have presented themselves to either player so far this set and we are closing in on a tie-break to decide this first set.
*Nadal 3-3 Thiem
It’s looking good for Thiem, too, on serve as he moves 40-15 after the first real unforced error from Nadal so far in this match sees a good opportunity on his forehand fly long and out of court.
It’s into the net with the next return of serve as Thiem levels it up at 3-3.
Nadal 3-2 Thiem*
It’s all looking very routine for Nadal on serve so far. Some great hands get the better of his opponent up at the net as he edges ahead again once more in this first set.
*Nadal 2-2 Thiem
A nice touch from Thiem around the net, now, as he executes a drop shot to perfection to leave Nadal stranded on the baseline.
40-15 up now for Thiem on serve but it’s wonderful movement from Nadal on return! Great defensive work from the Spaniard and his whipping cross-court forehand wrongfoots Nadal and brings it back to 40-30.
Thiem sees it out, though, at the net to take the game but more pleasing signs for Nadal fans, without a doubt.
Nadal 2-1 Thiem*
It’s a fast, responsive court here in Brisbane which appears to be helping Nadal in these early stages as he goes 30-0 up.
Now he’s up to the net and that’s a superb touch! It didn’t look like Nadal would get there but it’s a deft flick over the net, sending Thiem the wrong way and claiming the point. He serves out to make it eight from eight on service so far.
A strong start for the Spaniard.
*Nadal 1-1 Thiem
Not a bad start, either, for Thiem on serve as a lovely forehand sees him take an early 30-0 lead on service but he has no response to a thunderous Nadal forehand which brings it back to 30-15.
A good response, though, from the Austrian who fires down two big serves to level things up.
Nadal 1-0 Thiem*
Well, that’s not a bad start! A thunderous flat forehand down the line penetrates the court and leaves Thiem helpless as Nadal claims the first point of the match.
Before long, he races into a 40-0 lead and as Thiem’s return goes long, it’s a comfortable and assured hold of serve to kick things off.
*Nadal 0-0 Thiem
Rafa will serve first in this match and, with the warm-ups down, we are ready to get started in Brisbane...
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