Nadal cruises in Australian Open debut against Giron

Melbourne, Australia, Jan 17 (EFE).- Spain’s Rafael Nadal cruised with a perfect performance in the first round of the Australian Open after comfortably beating the American Marcos Giron 6-1, 6-4, 6-2, in a match in which his serve was never broken.

“These have been very difficult months for me. It is impossible to be happier,” he said after winning in less than two hours.

The No. 6 seed dispelled doubts after saying his expectations were not the same due to his long period of inactivity after overwhelming the American with 27 winners and 88 percent of first serve wins.

Nadal, the only candidate to reach his 21st Grand Slam after the deportation of Serbian Novak Djokovic, could face Australian wildcard Thanasi Kokkinakis in a demanding second round, having arrived in Melbourne after being crowned champion in Adelaide.

He also continued his run of triumphs at Melbourne Park in the current season after he clinched the title in the Summer Set preparatory tournament after beating American Maxime Cressy in the final. EFE

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