So Nadal’s first match in four years at Queen’s does not go to planned. He’s lost to the world No79, Alexandr Dolgopolov, who was excellent, and his preparations for Wimbledon have been disrupted. There were flashes of class from Nadal and his fighting spirit remains intact, but he’s still not entirely comfortable on this surface. Here’s Kevin Mitchell’s report.
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Alexandr Dolgopolov beats Rafael Nadal 6-3, 6-7, 6-4!
Nadal has to hold to stay in the match and from his perspective, Dolgopolov has suddenly hit a worryingly good level, starting this game with a wonderful flicked backhand at the net. Nadal responds with a clobbered forehand into the corner, but then he slices into the net. Dolgopolov is two points from victory and although he flaps a forehand into the net on the next point, he seizes a match point, his second, with a crunching backhand return! He’s already wasted one match point. But he learns his lesson. Nadal charges to the net and Dolgopolov doesn’t blink or crack under the pressure, instead steering a super forehand down the line to seal a memorable victory against one of the greats! Nadal is out.
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Third set: Nadal 3-6, 7-6, 4-5 Dolgopolov* (*denotes server): Having hit such a high in the previous game, Dolgopolov immediately slumps at the start of this one, a limp double-fault gifting Nadal two break points. He saves the first with a low forehand and then Nadal nets a forehand! Nadal has a third break point, though, when Dolgopolov slices wide - but he saves that too. What spirit! What fight! Dolgopolov, battered and bruised, somehow emerges unscathed. What a hold. Nadal will be furious with himself.
Third set: Nadal* 3-6, 7-6, 4-4 Dolgopolov (*denotes server): Nadal seems to be cruising away with the game. But Dolgopolov won’t lie down. He targets Nadal’s backhand at 30-all and that sets him up for a smash which brings up a break point. Nadal is given a time violation before serving. That’ll go down well. He’s happier when Dolgopolov whistles a forehand wide - Hawkeye isn’t is friend - but then he gives up another break point with a forehand into the net. And Dolgopolov takes this one, attacking with a forehand, wiping out Nadal’s advantage with a cute backhand volley.
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Third set: Nadal 3-6, 7-6, 4-3 Dolgopolov* (*denotes server): Dolgopolov isn’t completely out of this yet and he holds when Nadal nets a backhand.
Third set: Nadal* 3-6, 7-6, 4-2 Dolgopolov (*denotes server): A glimmer of hope for Dolgopolov when Nadal clanks a backhand wide. But no more than a glimmer. Nadal tapdances away with the next four points. He’s two games from victory.
Third set: Nadal 3-6, 7-6, 3-2 Dolgopolov* (*denotes server): Dolgopolov holds to love. He’ll probably be wondering why he couldn’t do that five minutes ago?
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Third set: Nadal* 3-6, 7-6, 3-1 Dolgopolov (*denotes server): Nadal holds comfortably. He’s firmly in control now.
Third set: Nadal 3-6, 7-6, 2-1 Dolgopolov* (*denotes server): Nadal skelps a forehand down the line for a 0-15 lead but Dolgopolov is undeterred, a flamboyant, feathery drop shot making it 15-all. The next two points are shared, before Nadal earns his first break point of the match when Dolgopolov fluffs a gimme of a volley, trying a dink when Nadal was stranded. It let Nadal back into the rally when he had no right to be there and Dolgopolov was made to regret that casual touch. He’s rueing it even more when he whips a forehand pass this wide. It missed by 0.00000000000001 inches. But that’s enough. Nadal breaks.
Third set: Nadal* 3-6, 7-6, 1-1 Dolgopolov (*denotes server): Oh, this is lovely. At 30-15, Nadal slices a backhand down the line; but Dolgopolov, on the run, improvises superbly with a sliced backhand volley that gives Nadal no chance. That was delightful; quick thinking, soft hands and a smooth touch. Nadal, though, has an ace up his sleeve. He crunches one down and holds.
Third set: Nadal 3-6, 7-6, 0-1 Dolgopolov* (*denotes server): The grass is new and slick and slippery at the back of the court, and as Nadal reaches for a forehand, he tumbles. Is he hurt? For a moment, it looks like he’s hurt and when he gets up again, he looks sore as he hops about behind the baseline. But it’s not serious. He shakes it off and his many fans in the crowd breathe a sigh of relief.He can’t stop Dolgopolov from holding to love, though, the Ukranian rattling away a couple of aces to start the third set in encouraging style.
Rafael Nadal wins the second set 7-6 to level the match!
Second-set tie-break: Nadal 8-6 Dolgopolov* (*denotes server): Having seen a match point come and go, Dolgopolov finds himself facing a set point. He misses a first serve. He panics. A backhand down the line flies wide and the indomitable Nadal forces a third set thanks to the power of his will and the quality of his tennis.
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Second-set tie-break: Nadal* 7-6 Dolgopolov (*denotes server): Dolgopolov is so close. But Nadal is too good at the net with a difficult half-volley.
Second-set tie-break: Nadal* 6-6 Dolgopolov (*denotes server): Dolgopolov nets a backhand return off a spinning Nadal serve. Nadal survives.
Second-set tie-break: Nadal 5-6 Dolgopolov* (*denotes server): Dolgopolov earns a match point with a scorcher of a forehand.
Second-set tie-break: Nadal 5-5 Dolgopolov* (*denotes server): Dolgopolov finds the net with an identical backhand!
Second-set tie-break: Nadal* 4-5 Dolgopolov (*denotes server): Dolgopolov clips a backhand into the net at the end of a tense rally. An inch higher and that may well have been a winner.
Second-set tie-break: Nadal* 3-5 Dolgopolov (*denotes server): Nadal drops a volley wide and Dolgopolov has the mini-break! Nadal is two points from going out.
Second-set tie-break: Nadal 3-4 Dolgopolov* (*denotes server): Nadal nets a forehand. He had Dolgopolov where he wanted him but that pesky net got in his way.
Second-set tie-break: Nadal 3-3 Dolgopolov* (*denotes server): Dolgopolov levels the score with his 11th ace.
Second-set tie-break: Nadal* 3-2 Dolgopolov (*denotes server): One sublime backhand is followed by some utter filth and Dolgopolov is back in this breaker.
Second-set tie-break: Nadal* 3-1 Dolgopolov (*denotes server): Nadal roars and drills a backhand down the line.
Second-set tie-break: Nadal 2-1 Dolgopolov* (*denotes server): Nadal whacks a second serve back and Dolgopolov nets a forehand tamely.
Second-set tie-break: Nadal 1-1 Dolgopolov* (*denotes server): Dolgopolov hits his 10th ace.
Second-set tie-break: Nadal* 1-0 Dolgopolov (*denotes server): Dolgopolov almost finds the angle with a forehand pass but Nadal defends the net. Just.
Second set: Nadal 3-6, 6-6 Dolgopolov* (*denotes server): We shall have a tie-break. And if Nadal loses it, he is out of the tournament.
Second set: Nadal* 3-6, 6-5 Dolgopolov (*denotes server): If this goes to a tie-break - and that’s dependent on the Ukranian holding in the next game - the worry for Dolgopolov is that he has won three points on Nadal’s serve in this set.
Second set: Nadal 3-6, 5-5 Dolgopolov* (*denotes server): Dolgopolov has to hold to stay in the second set. So he does, because he has to, it’s the law.
Second set: Nadal* 3-6, 5-4 Dolgopolov (*denotes server): Nadal holds to love. Dolgopolov has won one point on the Nadal serve in this set.
Second set: Nadal 3-6, 4-4 Dolgopolov* (*denotes server): And everything is pointing to a break when two wayward Dolgopolov backhands fly off target, giving Nadal a 15-30 lead. But maybe I’m reading the directions incorrectly. Dolgopolov hits back with two aces and although the game goes to deuce, a stunning forehand and an ace, which was called by the umpire, sees him hold. Well played, Mr Dolgopolov.
Second set: Nadal* 3-6, 4-3 Dolgopolov (*denotes server): Dolgopolov wins his first point on Nadal’s serve in this set, a cracking backhand return from left to right. Unfortunately it comes when he’s already 40-0 down and he doesn’t win another. Everything is pointing to Nadal levelling this match.
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Second set: Nadal 3-6, 3-3 Dolgopolov* (*denotes server): Credit to Dolgopolov, who holds confidently to 30 here. His serve remains strong.
Second set: Nadal* 3-6, 3-2 Dolgopolov (*denotes server): Nadal holds to love again. Dolgopolov is no longer reading his serve.
Second set: Nadal 3-6, 2-2 Dolgopolov* (*denotes server): Dolgopolov is under pressure when Nadal clambers back from 40-15 down to deuce. He starts to chunter at his box, which isn’t a good sign. But appearances can be deceiving. He holds thanks to some obdurate serving.
Second set: Nadal* 3-6, 2-1 Dolgopolov (*denotes server): The match has become more even since Nadal’s unsteady start. Dolgopolov is nowhere near as dominant as he was. Nadal holds to love again and Dolgopolov has every reason to be afraid. Momentum is swinging Nadal’s way.
Second set: Nadal 3-6, 1-1 Dolgopolov* (*denotes server): Dolgopolov is in a commanding position at 40-0. Back comes Nadal, winning the next two points. But Dolgopolov holds him off, walloping a forehand into the corner to win the game.
Second set: Nadal* 3-6, 1-0 Dolgopolov (*denotes server): Here’s some preposterousness at the start of the second set, Dolgopolov smashing a backhand from left to right, Nadal stooping down and blocking a forehand back down the line for a winner. “Come on!” he Nadals. His knees looked in good shape there and that forehand provides him with a platform that allows him to hold to love.
Alexandr Dolgopolov wins the first set 6-3!
Dolgopolov makes a shaky start, giving Nadal encouragement with a wild forehand that makes it 0-15. You don’t want to give Nadal encouragement. Dolgopolov grits his way to 30-15 but then nets a forehand. Nadal’s eyes light up a tad - but Dolgopolov responds with an ace out wide to earn a set point. Nadal then hits a backhand long off a powerful serve and Dolgopolov has the first set.
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First set: Nadal* 3-5 Dolgopolov (*denotes server): Nadal needs to hold to keep the first set alive. He does so to 15, an ace polishing off a simple game. He’ll return with a new racquet.
First set: Nadal 2-5 Dolgopolov* (*denotes server): Nope. He can’t break. He wins the first point; Dolgopolov wins the next three, lobs in a double-fault at 40-15, and seals another hold thanks to a crafty volley.
First set: Nadal* 2-4 Dolgopolov (*denotes server): Dolgopolov is throwing body and soul into every shot, catching the eye with one rasping forehand down the line, but Nadal hangs on to his serve, holding to 30. Now, then, can he break?
First set: Nadal 1-4 Dolgopolov* (*denotes server): Dolgopolov is playing very well. Can he really be 79th in the world?
First set: Nadal* 1-3 Dolgopolov (*denotes server): This is a blistering start from Dolgopolov, who rips a forehand into the corner for a 15-30 lead. Nadal furrows his brow. Then he balloons a forehand to offer up two break points. A ripple spreads around the court, people giving their neighbours a nudge, raising their eyebrows, puffing their cheeks. But Nadal knuckles down. Dolgopolov slices wide, before failing to respond to a Nadal serve. The game goes to deuce, but Dolgopolov earns another break point when Nadal skews a forehand long. This is a good time for Nadal’s forehand to click into gear, though, and he holds thanks to a body serve. He’s on the board.
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First set: Nadal 0-3 Dolgopolov* (*denotes server): A few years ago, Dolgopolov looked like he was going to trouble the elite. He was hovering just outside the top 10 and reached the last eight of the Australian Open. Last year at Wimbledon he pushed Dimitrov hard at Wimbledon in five tough sets. His career hasn’t quite turned out as expected and he’s had a poor year - but he is a talent, as Nadal is finding out. He consolidates the break thanks to some vicious serving.
First set: Nadal* 0-2 Dolgopolov (*denotes server): Uhh! Uhh! Uhh! It’s one of the most terrifying sounds on a tennis court: the famous Rafael Nadal grunt. It’s in full working order in this game and his forehand appears to be crackling too, as he bludgeons one into the corner for a 30-0 lead. But we go to deuce, Dolgopolov impressively fighting back from 40-15 down, stabbing a lob over Nadal for parity in the game. He constructs the next point expertly, pulling Nadal out of the picture, to earn a break point. Can he take it? He can. Nadal batters a forehand down the line but Dolgopolov sees it and, on the run, he whips a forehand cross court to snatch an early lead!
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First set: Nadal 0-1 Dolgopolov* (*denotes server): Dolgopolov, dressed in yellow and blue, like he’s about to play football for Ukraine, serves first against the mighty Rafael Nadal. There are no nerves as he hurries himself into a 40-0 lead, before dropping the next two points, but Dolgopolov holds when Nadal wafts a forehand long.
Nadal claims that his record at keepie uppies with a football is somewhere near the 2,000 mark. Two thousand! That cannot be right. He was smiling and laughing, though, so he might have been telling a lie.
“I feel healthy,” Nadal says. Which is good to hear.
Jose Mourinho is in the crowd. I assume he’s in on general admission.
Someone's thrilled to see #RafaelNadal back at Queen's Club! pic.twitter.com/iBwqIOzvXs
— Live Tennis (@livetennis) June 16, 2015
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The players are out. Hello, Rafa.
The reigning champion, Grigor Dimitrov, has seen off Sam Querrey 4-6 6-3 6-4 after their match was suspended at one set all because of bad light last night. That’s a fine effort from Dimitrov, who was a set and a break down at one point. Nadal and Dolgopolov are on next.
Preamble
Hello! After a four-year absence, Rafael Nadal returns to Queen’s. Welcome back, Rafa, you’ve been missed. Although you could say that he needs Queen’s as much as Queen’s needs him. Nadal has exited Wimbledon early in each of the past three years, Lukas Rosol, Steve Darcis and Nick Kyrgios sending him on his way, those three defeats to opponents who would not have had a prayer against him in the past leaving the great Spaniard looking down suspiciously at the grass, unsure of his footing, uncertain of whether he will ever recapture his old glories.
When Nadal lost to Rosol, it was one of the great Wimbledon shocks and, in his defence, it could be put down to his knees. But then it happened again against Darcis, an unheralded Belgian who has achieved little of note since then, before Kyrgios blasted Nadal away with a barrage of aces and youthful exuberance in the fourth round last year. It has reached the point now where not many people will be tipping Nadal as a potential champion, especially after the manner in which his clay kingdom was dismantled by Novak Djokovic in Paris two weeks ago. He has seen his ranking slip tenth in the world and you get the feeling that in some places, the obituaries have already been written.
But wait! Nadal played on the grass in Stuttgart last week and he won the title after beating Victor Troicki in the final on Sunday. He has won Wimbledon twice (although not since 2010) and he has been to the final on three other occasions. Let’s not be hasty. He’s still dangerous. He’s Nadal! It will be intriguing to see how he fares against the tricky Ukranian, Alexandr Dolgopolov, once the world No13 but now down to 79th, this afternoon.
Play begins: soon.
