Rafael Nadal’s remarkable comeback on the ATP Tour progressed with another convincing win at the Brisbane International presented by Evie. The Spaniard, making a return to competitive tennis after nearly a year due to injury, showcased his signature prowess by defeating Australia’s Jason Kubler 6-1, 6-2, advancing to the quarter-finals.
Nadal’s performance against Kubler, ranked 102nd in the Pepperstone ATP Rankings, was a masterclass in precision and power. Starting strong, he won 12 of the first 13 points in this first-ever Lexus ATP Head2Head meeting with Kubler. His exceptional form was evident in a stunning backhand smash, highlighting his agility and impeccable timing.
In his post-match interview, Nadal reflected on his strategy. “I watched videos of Jason and knew he was solid from the baseline. So, I focused on being aggressive with my shots,” he shared. This strategy evidently paid off, as Nadal dominated the match in just 83 minutes.
The victory holds special significance for Nadal, hinting that 2024 might be his final professional season. “Two victories after a long absence mean a lot. Every day I can play is great news,” he said. His next challenge is against another local favorite, World No. 55 Jordan Thompson, against whom Nadal boasts a strong record against Australian players.
The match wasn’t without challenges for Kubler, who seemed troubled by a right arm issue, requiring physiotherapy during and after the first set. Despite facing a 0/40 deficit while serving at 5-1, Nadal rallied to clinch the first set, dropping just five points on his serve. He continued his dominance with a heavy lefty forehand, breaking Kubler early in the second set and cruising to victory with 20 winners, including four aces.
In other tournament news, Grigor Dimitrov also secured a spot in the quarter-finals with a swift 6-1, 6-2 win over Daniel Altmaier. Dimitrov, the second seed, has now achieved the most wins in the history of the Brisbane event. He will face Australian wild card Rinky Hijikata in his seventh quarter-final appearance in Brisbane.
As the Brisbane International progresses, Nadal’s form and fitness will be closely watched, with fans and experts keenly anticipating how far the 92-time tour-level titlist can go in this tournament and beyond.
