INDIAN WELLS, Calif. – Daniil Medvedev defeated Tomas Machac 6-3, 6-2 in the second round of the BNP Paribas Open, the Russian´s first tournament since ascending to No. 1 in the world.
Rafael Nadal rallied from two breaks down in the third set to beat Sebastian Korda in the second round at Indian Wells and improve his perfect 2022 start to 16-0.
Medvedev made quick work of his Czech opponent, finishing Machac off in just over an hour. The Russian won 80 per cent of his first-serve points and saved the lone break point he faced.
Earlier this week, Medvedev received a trophy commemorating his status atop the ATP Tour rankings.
He displaced Novak Djokovic, who wasn´t allowed to enter the US to play because he´s not vaccinated against COVID-19.
Medvedev is among players from Russia and Belarus competing at Indian Wells without flags, symbols or anthems as a result of Russia’s military operation in Ukraine.
The decision to eliminate national identity was made by the International Tennis Federation and both tours.
Meanwhile, Nadal, ranked fourth in the world, is off to the best start of any season in his legendary career. The Spanish left-hander continued that run by downing Korda 6-2, 1-6, 7-6 (7/3) at the WTA and ATP Masters tournament.
He launched 2022 with an Australian Open title, making an epic comeback victory over Medvedev in the final, becoming the first man to win a 21st career major crown.
Nadal lifted the trophy in Acapulco last month and kept alive his bid for a record-equalling 37th ATP Masters 1000 crown.
Korda, 21 and ranked 38th in the world, led the third set 5-2, but Nadal reeled off four games in a row as they went to a tiebreaker, which the Spaniard won on his first match point.
Nadal has become the latest big draw to pull out of the Miami Open.
Nadal is a five-time finalist at the event but hasn´t played in Miami since 2017.
His absence means that neither of the winners of this year´s first Grand Slam event will be in the tournament; he won the Australian Open for his record-setting 21st major title, and women´s champion Ashleigh Barty also withdrew earlier this month.
Nadal´s decision came three days after Novak Djokovic announced that he wouldn´t be playing at Indian Wells or Miami because he is unvaccinated and can´t travel to the United States.
“Rafa will certainly be missed. He has so many fans here in South Florida, and we hope to see him back in Miami next year,” Miami tournament director James Blake said.
Nadal, who is playing Indian Wells, is currently ranked No. 4 in the world. He was a Miami finalist in 2005, 2008, 2011, 2014 and 2007 – with all those events taking place at the tournament´s former South Florida home on Key Biscayne.
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