Rafael Nadal overcomes battling Jack Draper to advance to second round of Australian Open 2023

ByEurosport

Updated 16/01/2023 at 10:30 GMT

Defending champion Rafael Nadal is into the second round of this year's Australian Open after a 7-5 2-6 6-4 6-1 win over Jack Draper. The 22-time Grand Slam winner didn't have it all his own way as the Brit made a fight of it in the early exchanges, but as Draper stuggled physically, Nadal's class showed. Stream the 2023 Australian Open live on discovery+, the Eurosport app and at eurosport.co.uk

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Rafael Nadal is into the second round of the Australian Open after beating Jack Draper in four sets.

The defending champion was made to work had for the win in the early exchanges, but as the Brit appeared to be overcome by injury, Nadal was able to get through without too much difficulty in the end.

Draper was not overawed by the 22-time Grand Slam champion in their first ever meeting with his powerful serve and forehand giving Nadal problems, but a handful of poor shot choices was the difference in a tight first set.

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The Brit's first real test came at 4-3 down in the opening set when Nadal earned his first break point of the match, but he recovered well to hold his service game.

At 5-5, Nadal was taken to deuce from 40-0 up by Draper, but the Spaniard moved to within a game of the first set when the Brit struck a forehand into the tramlines.

Nadal seized the moment and broke the Draper serve with his first set point, responding to the 21-year-old's poor drop shot by ripping a whipped forehand winner at the net.

Draper refused to allow the setback to affect him, however, and flew out of the traps in the second set, breaking Nadal in the first game.

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After holding to love, he was soon a double-break up as he refused to allow the defending champion to find his rhythm.

Serving for the set, Draper was able to level things up after Nadal sent a backhand into the net.

It was now game on, but the tide appeared to turn in Nadal’s favour after a lengthy fourth game in which he was able to break the Brit following two uncharacteristic double faults.

Draper looked to be struggling physically and required the trainer at 4-1 down, but he caught a second wind to break back and parity was restored once again at 4-4.

Nadal stepped it up once again when it mattered, however, and when Draper went long on set point, his advantage was restored.

Again the Brit attempted a fightback and raised eyebrows in the Rod Laver Arena with a break at the start of the fourth.

He was unable to capitalise unfortunately, and Nadal upped the gears to win the next six games in a row with little resistance as Draper again looked troubled by cramp.

Nadal now faces Mackenzie Mcdonald who beat fellow American Brandon Nakashima in gruelling five set epic 7-6, 7-6, 1-6, 7-6 6-4.