Rafael Nadal vs Felix Auger-Aliassime LIVE: Tennis result from Hurlingham Club as Nadal loses
Follow live updates from the Hurlingham Club exhibition as Rafael Nadal continues his Wimbledon preparations
Follow live scores and updates as Rafael Nadal faces Felix Auger-Aliassime in an exhibition match in the Giorgio Armani Tennis Classic this afternoon, as the 22-time grand slam champion steps up his Wimbledon preparations. Nadal will take to the court in west London just hours after the main draw for the Championships was made at the All England Club. The Spaniard, who is seeded second for the tournament, was put in the bottom half of the draw and faces Argentina’s Francisco Cerundolo in the opening round.
Nadal received a harder draw than top seed Novak Djokovic and could actually face today’s opponent Auger-Aliassime in the quarter-finals. The Canadian, who is seeded sixth, was handed one of the tougher opening matches against the unseeded but dangerous serve-and-volley player Maxime Cressy, while Matteo Berrettini and Stefanos Tsitsipas also landed in their half of the draw.
Nadal returned to grass for the first time in three years on Wednesday as he took down Stan Wawrinka 6-2 6-3. The 37-year-old looked sharp in dismissing the three-time grand slam champion Wawrinka and showed no signs of the foot problems that put his participation at Wimbledon in doubt. Auger-Aliassime, meanwhile, will look to improve after he was thrashed by Novak Djokovic in the other match of the day. Nadal was pushed to five sets by Auger-Aliassime in their last meeting at the French Open last month.
Follow for live scores and updates from Hurlingham Club:
Nadal* 6-5 Auger-Aliassime
Nadal’s best serves are the ones that force Auger-Aliassime wide and stretching. The 21-year-old has struggle to get them back in play and when he has done, Nadal has punished him with the follow up.
The Spaniard will have one last chance to break before the first set goes to a tie breaker.
Nadal 5-5 Auger-Aliassime*
Another ace brings the Canadian back on level terms before some sensible play to keep the ball alive earns him another point.
In the next rally Nadal targets the forehand before switching sides and narrowly missing the line on the right side of court.
Game Auger-Aliassime.
Nadal 5-4 Auger-Aliassime*
A rare mistake from Auger-Aliassime’s serve as he double faults attempting to hug the centre line with both attempts. He follows it up with a softer effort that Nadal smokes back and moves ahead in the game.
15-30.
Nadal* 5-4 Auger-Aliassime
Nadal takes the game but this is the closest we’ve come to a break of serve.
Auger-Aliassime took him to deuce but the Spaniard landed two first serves and forced the 21-year-old over to one side of the court before tapping the ball to the other.
Rinse and repeat for both points and the game is won by Nadal. Simple, intelligent play.
Nadal* 4-4 Auger-Aliassime
Auger-Aliassime sends a return of serve to the back of court and Nadal is caught on his heels. He manages to flick the ball back over the net and takes a couple of steps back behind the baseline expecting a rapid return from the Canadian. Instead Auger-Aliassime drops the ball over the net and gets a delighted round of applause from the crowd for his smart play.
15-15.
Nadal 4-4 Auger-Aliassime*
Was that three of four aces from Felix Auger-Aliassime?
Either way it was by far the quickest game of the match. Rafa Nadal hardly seemed to move.
Incredible tennis.
Nadal* 4-3 Auger-Aliassime
Anothe rally ends with an error from the Canadian who tries to guide a tricky forehand down the left side but is slightly off balance and can’t get the loft to take it over the net.
Nadal takes the game and holds serve.
Nadal* 3-3 Auger-Aliassime
30-15.
Nadal sends a bouncier second serve over to Auger-Aliassime’s backhand and he tries to wallop it back but only finds the top on the net.
40-15.
Nadal 3-3 Auger-Aliassime*
No break points conceded, no break points saved, just calm collected holds of serve from both players. Auger-Aliassime wins the next game to love.
Send the first set to a tie break right now.
Nadal* 3-2 Auger-Aliassime
Even better from Nadal!
A rally develops with both men knocking the ball down the middle of court before Auger-Aliassime takes the initiative and belts a baseline shot to Nadal’s backhand before stepping up to the net. Nadal slides across and whacks the ball on the half-volley, sending it down the line for a passing winner to take the game.
The crowd appreciated that one.
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