Highlights
Thank you all.
Thank you all for joining us in this intense duel with an exciting ending, it has been a pleasure to be with all of you, see you all again!
This is how Rafa Nadal has closed his first win in Madrid Masters 1000
Simply too good đ@RafaelNadal kicks off his Madrid campaign with a 6-1 6-0 win against teenager Darwin Blanch!#MMOpen pic.twitter.com/aujVWPvUVA â Tennis TV (@TennisTV) April 25, 2024
Rafa Nadal advances to second round
The tennis player from Manacor advances to the second round against the Madrid Masters 1000. He clearly overcame Darwin Blanch, who was playing his second Masters 1000 match. Manacor dominated from the bottom and taking advantage of his mistakes. In his next match he will face again Alex de Miñaur, opponent who knocked him out in ATP 500 Barcelona a week ago. The match will be this SaturdayÂ
2Âș Set Nadal (6-1, 6-0) Blanch
GAME, SET AND MATCH! In the first point of the game Rafa missed. 0-15. Then he made up for it with a volley at the net, which went into the stands. 15-15. Restart of Blanch. 15-30. Then in a rallied the American threw it out. 30-30. Direct serve to put himself with match ball. 40-30. Unforced error and equal. 40-40. Then after a good serve the Florida player's return stayed in the net for the second match-ball. A-40. He closed the match with another serve where the rival sent it long.Â
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2Âș Set Nadal (6-1, 5-0) Blanch
BREAK! Again manages to break Rafa Nadal's serve, which will now serve to take the first set and advance to the second round of the Masters 1000 in Madrid.Â
2Âș Set Nadal (6-1, 4-0) Blanch
15-40. Good rest of Nadal, who returns it outside Darwin Blanch. Two break balls for the Spanish tennis player.Â
2Âș Set Nadal (6-1, 4-0) Blanch
Nadal continues to add with comfortable games and closer and closer to advance to the second round at Madrid Masters 1000Â
2Âș Set Nadal (6-1, 3-0) Blanch
BREAK! Double break in this second set. He dared the Florida with a drop shot and there was a nice duel, which ended up winning Nadal to be placed with two breaks ahead.Â
2Âș Set Nadal (6-1, 2-0) Blanch
40-A. Although he took the lead on serve, after a winner from the Spaniard and after a double fault, eighth ball break.
2Âș Set Nadal (6-1, 2-0) Blanch
30-40. Seventh break ball of the match for Rafa Nadal, after moving the ball well. Although Darwin Blanch saves it with a good serve. 40-40Â
Here is one of Nadal's highlights in the first set.
đȘPUN-TA-ZO como mandan los cĂĄnones (TomĂĄs Carbonell dixit) y terminando en la red.
Y nos ponemos 4-1 en el primer set.#TenisRTVE #MMOPEN
Directo: https://t.co/ld1x1WcMuI pic.twitter.com/ieWJN9uc8j â Teledeporte (@teledeporte) April 25, 2024
2Âș Set Nadal (6-1, 2-0) Blanch
Good direct serve by Rafa Nadal to confirm the advantage. He gets a clear advantage, which is on the fast track. Also little wear and tear of the former world number 1Â
2Âș Set Nadal (6-1, 1-0) Blanch
BREAK! Rafa starts breaking the serve. The break ball was generated, and with a very long rest, he hit the ball badly to the American, who starts the second set against the runner-up.Â
2Âș Set Nadal (6-1, 0-0) Blanch
40-40. Darwin saved both. First with a ball on the line and then taking a risk with the second service.Â
2Âș Set Nadal (6-1, 0-0) Blanch
15-40. Rafa starts the second set dominating in the background and already has two break balls to take the lead.Â
This is how Nadal closed the first set
đȘVAMOSđŸ
â Teledeporte (@teledeporte) April 25, 2024
El primer set ya estĂĄ en el bolsillo, 6-1 para @RafaelNadal #TenisRTVE #MMOPEN
Directo: https://t.co/ld1x1WcMuI pic.twitter.com/t8HaOcA8UW
1Âș Set Nadal (6-1) Blanch
SET!!! First set for Rafa Nadal. Darwin Blanch threw the ball long.Â
First quiet game for the Majorcan, in just 29 minutes. He has dominated easily from the bottom and he has noticed something nervous to the Florida player, who is playing his second Masters 1000 match.Â
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1Âș Set Nadal (5-1) Blanch
40-0. He surprised with Nadal's serve, which Darwin returned it to the net. Three set balls for the SpanishÂ
1Âș Set Nadal (5-1) Blanch
BREAK! The American saved the first break with an open serve, but could not with the second. Second break for the player from Manacor, who will serve to close the first set.
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1Âș Set Nadal (4-1) Blanch
15-40. Nadal's deep return, who gets two break balls.Â
1Âș Set Nadal (4-1) Blanch
Good play from Rafa, who made a great volley to make it 30-0, which lifted the crowd. He made it 40-0, although he ended up sending the net. 40-15. Finally, he put pressure on his opponent to end up closing out the match.Â
1Âș Set Nadal (3-1) Blanch
First game of the match for Darwin Blanch, who wakes up. In addition he does it in white in a game where he has left his first details with a powerful service.Â
Photo to remember
This is the image from before the match between Rafa Nadal and Darwin Blanch.Â
1Âș Set Nadal (3-0) Blanch
With a 40-15 had Rafa Nadal to close the game, but the American invented a good rest. Then the Manacor failed to put a dangerous equal. He solved it to confirm the break and placed with a 3-0. Controlled the match for now by RafaÂ
1Âș Set Nadal (2-0) Blanch
BREAK! Long rally where the former world number 1 held and where Blanch ended up sending the ball to the net. Rafa Nadal is placed aheadÂ
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1Âș Set Nadal (1-0) Blanch
30-40. The first two points were in ace of Darwin Blanch with a powerful serve. However, when there is a ball in play, Rafa is the one who wins, who gets the first break point.Â
1Âș Set Nadal (1-0) Blanch
First game of the match in white. The Spaniard dominated in the baseline, while Blanch sent the ball long in all the points. Many errors of the American at the start, a little nervous at the beginning.Â
Rafa Nadal starts serving
The Spaniard will start serving. While the rest Darwin Blanch. Both have already finished their warm-upÂ
This was the moment when Nadal stepped onto the track
Gen Z vs Legend đ
5x champion @RafaelNadal - playing for likely the final time in Madrid - takes on 16-year-old rising star Darwin Blanch â>> https://t.co/hOHmv2wMlX pic.twitter.com/P6njRl4x6k â Tennis TV (@TennisTV) April 25, 2024
RAFA NADAL TAKES TO THE COURT
We already have the two tennis players. First came the American driver and then the Spaniard, who may be the last time he plays on the Manolo Santana court.Â
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Final on the Manolo Santana court
Cori Gauff won by a double 6-0 and defeated Arantxa Rus. This was the previous match on center court to the Rafa Nadal vs Darwin Blanch match, which will start shortly.Â
Alex de Miñaur awaits in second round
The Australian, number 11 in the world, will make his debut in the capital of Spain in the second round against the winner of this match. Should Rafa Nadal win today, they will meet again for the second week in a row. Miñaur knocked the Mallorcan out of the ATP Barcelona a week ago.Â
Rafa today, Carlos Alcaraz tomorrow
The world number 3 returns after missing Monaco and Barcelona due to an arm injury. The player from Murcia will face Kazakhstan's Alexander Shevchenko, who beat Frenchman Rinderknech in the first round.Â
Rafa Nadal's last five matches
Rafa Nadal 0-2 Alex de Miñaur : ATP Barcelona: April 17, 2024
Rafa Nadal 2-0 Flavio Cobolli | ATP Barcelona: April 16, 2024
Rafa Nadal 1-2 Carlos Alcaraz | Exhibition Match: March 3, 2024
Rafa Nadal 1-2 Jordan Thompson | ATP Brisbane: January 5, 2024
Rafa Nadal 2-0 Jason Kubler | ATP Brisbane: January 4, 2024
Last five matches of Darwin Blanch
Darwin Blanch 0-2 Barreto Sanchez : ITF Telde 2: April 20, 2024
Darwin Blanch 2-1 Albert Pedrico | ITF Telde 2: April 19, 2024
Darwin Blanch 2-0 Benoit Torcq |Â Â ITF Telde 2: April 18, 2024
Darwin Blanch 2-1 Peter Fajta |Â ITF Telde 2 : April 16, 2024
Darwin Blanch 0-2 Dali Blanch |Â ITF Telde 1 : April 11, 2024
Large age difference in the match
There will be 21 years difference in the match between Rafa Nadal and Darwin Blanch. It is the biggest difference ever seen in an ATP match in history. Darwin is only 16 years old and the Spaniard is 37 years old.Â
Darwin Blanch motivated to face one of tennis legends
At only 16 years of age and in his second Masters 1000 appearance, he will face Rafa Nadal, winner of 22 Grand Slams. For him to play against the Mallorcan âwill be a great honorâ.Â
Before the match he said that âit's a dream, I never thought I could play against Nadal. I don't know how much he has left, but it is a great honor to play against himâ. âWhen I was a kid I used to watch him on TV and now I'm going to play against him in such an important tournament. I'm really looking forward to it,â the American tennis player added.Â
Rafa Nadal weakened, but plays in Madrid
The Balearic tennis player explained that the feelings during this week âhave not been perfectâ. âWith my mentality, maybe I wouldn't go out to play tomorrow, but it's Madrid. Many things are mixed on an emotional level, I'm here for totally personal reasons,â he added about his presence on center court this Thursday.Â
He has also left Roland Garros in doubt if he continues in this physical situation: âI do not give up anything in the following weeks, it is not a process upwards in a straight line and I do not know what will happen. I don't know what's going to happen in the next three weeks. If you can play Paris, you can, and if you can't, no. I'm not going to play Paris as I am today. If it was Paris today, I'm not going out there. I will go out if I feel able to compete; if not, I don't see the point.â Although he explained that not playing the Grand Slam on clay would not mean anything in his future: âThe world does not end with Roland Garros, it does not mean that if I do not play everything is over. There are some Olympic Games ahead that make me very excitedâ.
WE RETURN
In a few minutes the match between Carlos Alcaraz and Dawin Blanch will start, both the preview and the minute by minute of the match can be followed here on VAVEL.Â
Strategies for the match and how both players are coming in
As we approach the start of the match, Nadal enters this tournament ranked 644th in the world, a stark contrast to his best, largely due to his recent injuries. Today he faces 16-year-old American Darwin Blanch, who is ranked 1028th. Despite their current positions, the difference in experience is immense, as Nadal is a clay-court veteran. It will be interesting to see how Blanch handles the pressure against such a legendary opponent.
As for the strategy with which both will approach the match, Nadal is expected to take advantage of his powerful groundstrokes and years of clay-court dominance to dominate the baseline exchanges. For Blanch, the key will be to use his youth and agility to keep Nadal on the move, potentially exploiting any lack of fitness due to Nadal's recent return from injury.Â
Blanch's performance in recent ITF tournaments shows he can rise to the occasion, but facing Nadal on clay is a different challenge altogether.
In addition, the Manolo Santana court is buzzing with anticipation for what could be one of Nadal's last appearances at the Madrid Open.Â
Watch for Rafa Nadal vs Darwin Blanch
In a few moments we will share with you the starting lineups for the Rafa Nadal vs Darwin Blanch match as well as the latest information from the Manolo Santana court. Stay tuned for live online coverage of the match on VAVEL.
How to watch Rafa Nadal vs Darwin Blanch?
If you want to watch the Rafa Nadal vs Darwin Blanch match, you can follow it on TV through Tennis TV.
If you want to watch it online, VAVEL is your best option.
What time is the match between Rafa Nadal vs Darwin Blanch at the Madrid Masters 1000?
This is the start time in several countries:
Argentina: 12:00 AM
Bolivia: 11:00 AM
Brazil: 12:00 AM
Chile: 11:00 AM
Colombia: 10:00 AM
Ecuador 10:00 AM
UNITED STATES (ET): 11:00 AM
Spain: 17:00 PM
Mexico: 11:00 AM
Paraguay: 11:00 AM
Peru: 11:00 AM
Uruguay: 11:00 AM
Venezuela: 11:00 AM
England: 16:00 AM
Australia: 1:00 AM
India 16:30 AM
Rafa Nadal in front of his last Masters 1000 in Madrid
A priori and as announced by the Spanish tennis player, it will be the last time he will play this tournament before his retirement, which could be at the end of 2024. Great expectation in the training sessions prior to his debut
Todo el cariño que mereces đ„°@RafaelNadal | #MMOPEN pic.twitter.com/x22EK1QaOn
â #MMOPEN (@MutuaMadridOpen) April 24, 2024
Order of play for Thursday, April 25
Third day at the Mutua Madrid Open where we will have several matches to highlight. On center court will start with the duel between Nishioka and Auger-Aliassime. This will be followed by two matches in the women's draw, with Naomi Osaka taking center stage in the first match. Then it will be the turn of the world number 3, American Coco Gauff. This match will be followed by this match and the day will close on the Manolo Santana court with the world number 1, Igor Swiatek. On the Arantxa Sanchez court there are great duels such as Gasquet against Sonego or the duels of the Spaniards Roberto Bautista and Roberto CarballĂ©s Baena.Â
ORDER OF PLAY đŸ
â #MMOPEN (@MutuaMadridOpen) April 24, 2024
đïž 25 April
â° 11.00
đïž Estadio Manolo Santana@atptour | @wta | #MMOPEN pic.twitter.com/C92c968GyK
How does Darwin Blanch arrive?
American tennis player of only 16 years of age who plays the Madrid Masters 1000 as a guest. He is currently number 1028 in the ATP ranking.Â
This surprised in 2023 reaching the semifinals of Wimbledon and Roland Garros junior. This year he has played mainly ITF tournaments where he highlights the semifinals in the Spanish tournaments of Torello and Telde. He also played a Masters 1000 match in Miami against Tomas Machaz where he was defeated in the first round by 4-6 and 2-6.
How does Rafa Nadal arrive?
The 37-year-old tennis player from Manacor is currently ranked number 644 in the world.
He will play his second consecutive tournament for the first time in 2024. He started playing in January at the ATP Brisbane after a year away from the court where he was defeated in the quarterfinals against Jordan Thompson and ended with discomfort.Â
Now comes the tour where he has more hopes and it is clay where he wants to arrive in a great moment to Roland Garros and the games. In Barcelona he returned after a long break where he defeated Cobolli in the first round, while in the second round he was beaten by Alex de Miñaur, who is number 11 in the world.Â
Background
This will be the first time Rafa Nadal and Darwin Blanch face each other in history. Nadal will face an American tennis player again, for the first time in 2024, and something that has not happened since 2022 when he faced Taylor Fritz in the ATP Finals where he lost in two sets. While Darwin has already faced a Spanish player in his last meeting in the semifinals of the ITF 125 where he lost to Diego Augusto Barreto Sanchez.
The Stadium
The match will be played at the Manolo Santana center court, located in the city of Madrid and inaugurated on May 8, 2009, with a capacity for 12,442 spectators.
Preview of the match
Rafa Nadal and Darwin Blanch will meet this Thursday, April 25, 2024 in the first round of the Madrid Masters 1000.
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Welcome to VAVEL.COM's LIVE coverage of Rafa Nadal vs Darwin Blanch at Madrid Masters 1000
My name is Manuel Carmona Hidalgo and I will be your host for this match. We will provide you with pre-match analysis and news here live on VAVEL.
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