Australian Open 2022: Rafael Nadal is very strong – but Yannick Hanfmann is selling too expensive in Melbourne

The 30-year-old has kept up well against Nadal at times and scored points worth watching. Karlsruher also had his first game crack, which he left unused.

“I knew he was dangerous,” Nadal said after the match. “He has great potential and his level today is much higher than what his world rankings indicate.”

Hanfmann kept putting pressure on Nadal with his net attacks. However, the Spaniard knew how to increase the speed again and again at the crucial moment. After a short period of weakness near the end of the first set, Hanfmann caught himself again and did a very respectable job against the top candidate.

Hanfmann sells well

“He has gained a lot of experience that will take him even further,” he said. EurosportExpert Barbara Rittner: “He didn’t quit and believed in that until the end. He wasn’t Nadal’s ‘victim’, but he stayed at a high level for about three hours.”

Hanfmann did his best to defend himself against defeat, making four hits in the third set – two of them on Nadal’s serve. After 2:42 hours, Nadal made his final sovereign win in the second round perfect.

The 35-year-old missed Wimbledon and the US Open in 2021 and only returned to the big tennis stage at the Australian Open.

German ranks are weak

The ranks of the Germans in Melbourne declined further and further. Because Dominic Kupfer and Oscar Otti have already left on Wednesday.

Kipfer, who was born in the Black Forest, had to admit defeat to American service giant Riley Opelka (No. 23) 4:6, 3:6, 6:7 (4:7), Otte of Cologne missed the third round with a 6 :2, 2:6, 3:6, 1:6 against Italian 25th seed Lorenzo Sonego.

All three German participants in the singles – Angelique Kerber, Andrea Petkovic and Tatiana Maria – failed in the first round.

Nadal dreams of a 21st Grand Slam title

The 35-year-old Spaniard, who attracted more attention after his great rival Djokovic was sent off, could claim his 21st Grand Slam title in Melbourne – a record ahead of Djokovic and Roger Federer (all 20 each).

However, Nadal won the Australian Open only once – in 2009. In 2012, 2014, 2017, and 2019 he was in the final. Meanwhile, Karlsruhe Hanfmann has not reached the second round in six previous Grand Slam entries.

(with SID)

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