Borna Coric spoiled Rafael Nadal's return from a six-week layoff, beating the Spanish star 7-6 (9), 4-6, 6-3 within the Western & Southern Open.
The winner of a males's report 22 Grand Slam championships, together with two this 12 months, hadn't performed since July 6 after an stomach tear pressured him to withdraw from a semifinal match in opposition to Nick Kyrgios at Wimbledon. He hoped to start out placing the ultimate touches on prepping for the upcoming U.S. Open.
The second-seeded and third-ranked Nadal, 36, confirmed no indicators of the harm that largely plagued his serve. He reached 121 mph with one serve and wanted a number of awkward physique actions to return a few of Coric's photographs.
The match lasted 2 hours, 51 minutes, not together with a rain delay of 1 hour, 25 minutes within the first set.
Earlier in girls's play, U.S. Open champion Emma Raducanu routed Victoria Azarenka 6-0, 6-2.
The 19-year-old Raducanu received the ultimate seven video games in opposition to Serena Williams on Tuesday and the primary 10 in opposition to Azarenka. Seeded thirteenth, Raducanu arrange a match in opposition to No. 8 Jessica Pegula.
“I strive not to consider the rating,” Raducanu mentioned. “I simply attempt to deal with accumulating factors. I am at all times involved when issues are going effectively. I at all times really feel like one thing may go improper.” Sixth-ranked Simona Halep withdrew due to a proper thigh harm earlier than dealing with Veronica Kudermetova. Halep received final week in Toronto.
In an all-English males's second-round match, Eleventh-ranked Cameron Norrie outlasted three-time Grand Slam-champion Andy Murray 3-6, 6-3, 6-4.
Additionally, Taylor Fritz beat Wimbledon finalist Nick Kyrgios 6-3, 6-2, and 19-year-old wild-card Ben Shelton upset fifth-ranked Casper Ruud. Shelton is the youngest American to defeat a top-five opponent since Andy Roddick beat No. 1 Gustavo Kuerten in 2001.
