Final thoughts
So, Nadal is through, despite being pushed by Mayer, who played well and perhaps is unfortunate to be on the receiving end of a three-set defeat. Despite the Argentine’s resistance, Nadal was just too strong in the end, using all his experience and guile in that third-set tie-break to secure the win. There’s still more to come from the top seed, but for now he’ll be happy his knee is holding up, and that his name is in the third-round draw.
Thanks for joining me. Don’t forget to catch the evening session’s action with Katy Murrell’s over on the other liveblog. But from me for now, goodbye!
Nadal speaks. “An important victory for me. Always a tough opponent. I had to hit some great shots in the tie-break. I wish him all the best in the season. Happy to be in the third round after a while without being in competition.
“This tournament is my favourite of the year so I want to stay as long as possible.”
Game, set and match! Rafael Nadal wins 6-3, 6-4, 7-6 (7-4)
Third set: Nadal 6-3, 6-4, 7-6 (7-4) Mayer: There it is! Nadal does it! The top seed is safely into the third round, in straight sets, although the scoreline really doesn’t tell the tale of this match, in which Mayer put up a fantastic fight.
Third set: Nadal 6-3, 6-4, 6-6 Mayer (tie-break 6-4): Mayer booms down an ace before he challenges the call on a second. It is indeed out, but when Nadal makes a hash of his next backhand, Mayer is back to 4-5! Nadal, on his serve, sends Mayer the wrong way on the next point, and he has two match points....
Third set: Nadal 6-3, 6-4, 6-6 Mayer (tie-break 5-2): And then a glorious backhand that Mayer, on the stretch, can only return into the net puts Nadal 4-2 up! Nadal knows that’s a big point and he leaps into the air in celebration, as his team do likewise in their box! And ace follows and are we nearing a conclusion?
Third set: Nadal 6-3, 6-4, 6-6 Mayer (tie-break 3-2): Nadal takes the first point but then wastes an opportunity to go 2-0 up on his own serve as Mayer, at the second time of asking, successfully smashes at the net. Nadal pulls out a glorious shot a couple of points later, a cross-court forehand winner on the serve of Mayer, to take a slender lead!
Third set: Nadal* 6-3, 6-4, 6-6 Mayer (*denotes server): A Nadal grunt is swiftly followed by a beautiful winner down the line and a “vamos!” at 30-0, and a point later we’re heading into a third-set tie-breaker!
Third set: Nadal 6-3, 6-4, 5-6 Mayer* (*denotes server): The Argentine throws down his 14th ace of the day on his way to a comfortable service hold and the pendulum of pressure swings right back onto Nadal who must now hold his serve to stay in the third set!
Third set: Nadal* 6-3, 6-4, 5-5 Mayer (*denotes server): Perhaps Nadal’s nerves begin to show as Mayer outplays the Spaniard on several occasions to reach break point – for the fourth time tonight. A huge serve saves Nadal this time but he’s soon facing a fifth and this time Mayer gets it! A 44th winner for the match, coming at a crucial point! Back on serve.
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Third set: Nadal 6-3, 6-4, 5-4 Mayer* (*denotes server): Oof! Nadal give a ballgirl the fright of her life as one of his thunderous backhands slams into the umpires chair, just above the girl’s head. Rafa checks she’s OK (she is), and play continues. Mayer, meanwhile, totally shoots himself in the foot, squandering a 40-15 lead to allow Nadal back to deuce. A double fault later and Mayer is facing break point. He’s long and Nadal will now serve for the match!
Third set: Nadal* 6-3, 6-4, 4-4 Mayer (*denotes server): The look on Nadal’s face as he serves is so intense, it’s almost frightening. He seems to step up a bit here, and it’s no surprise he wins to love again.
Third set: Nadal 6-3, 6-4, 3-4 Mayer* (*denotes server): No, Mayer’s still very much got wind in his sails. This is an excellent service game, off the back of the disappointment of the last one. We’re approaching squeaky-bum time this third set, and still neither player has cracked.
Third set: Nadal* 6-3, 6-4, 3-3 Mayer (*denotes server): Rafa’s forehand is supreme on the opening point of this game as he whips the ball down the line, leaving Mayer little chance of getting to it, let alone returning. Mayer digs deep and is able to bring up a rare break point but Rafa is willing to let this one slip and another forehand winner saves his bacon. A high smash and a wild Mayer backhand later and Nadal holds. That might well be enough to take the wind out of the Argentine’s sails. A real chance wasted.
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Third set: Nadal 6-3, 6-4, 2-3 Mayer* (*denotes server): Here we go then! Or do we? Rafa flexes his muscles for the first time this set, opening up three break points. Mayer’s forehand saves him on the first, an ace the second, and some supreme net play the third! He goes on to hold – a magnificent effort from 0-40 down, since a break at this point could well have spelt the end for him.
Third set: Nadal* 6-3, 6-4, 2-2 Mayer (*denotes server): Rafa runs around a forehand in that distinctive style to take a 30-15 lead and a point later a big serve helps him on his way to the game. On serve so far this set. Who’s going to crack first?
Third set: Nadal 6-3, 6-4, 1-2 Mayer* (*denotes server): “No Leo!” is the cry as Mayer fires into the net on a regulation forehand at 30-15 up, giving Nadal a way back into the game. The Argentine recovers though and he holds again. Nadal, for the record, is still standing deep behind the baseline to receive serves, although the entire court is now in shadow, making his hiding place less effective.
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Third set: Nadal* 6-3, 6-4, 1-1 Mayer (*denotes server): Another love hold for Nadal. Nothing much to add, to be honest.
Third set: Nadal 6-3, 6-4, 0-1 Mayer* (*denotes server): Both players took the opportunity to pop off to the dressing rooms during the brief break at the end of the set. They’re back now, refreshed and possibly a bit lighter, and we’re ready to get this final third set under way. Mayer holds first up.
If this isn’t fully satisfying your tennis liveblog needs, we’ve only gone and launched another one, to focus on the upcoming night session. Katy Murrells is writing that one. Join her if you fancy.
Rafael Nadal wins the second set 6-4!
Second set: Nadal* 6-3, 6-4 Mayer (*denotes server): Nadal opens up a 30-0 lead but then Mayer hits a cracking return of serve, finding the Spaniard rocking on his heels a bit, to stay in it. It’s temporary hope for Mayer though as Nadal does indeed go on to win the game and the set. He’ll be looking to get this over and done with in three now, and as quickly as possible.
“Rafa, you’re the greatest of all time!” shouts someone in the stands. There may be a certain Swiss player who might disagree, but for the moment, his opinion is validated by a burst of applause from the rest of the arena.
Second set: Nadal 6-3, 5-4 Mayer* (*denotes server): Mayer’s still got the fight in him. He holds although it may merely be a stay of execution. Rafa to serve for a two-set lead now.
Second set: Nadal* 6-3, 5-3 Mayer (*denotes server): Again, Nadal wastes no time at all in securing another service game. And Mayer will now have to hold his own serve to stay in this second set.
Second set: Nadal 6-3, 4-3 Mayer* (*denotes server): Nadal clenches his fist as Mayer hits one out to bring up another break point. But Rafa’s radar is equally askew on the next point, and we’re back at deuce. There’s still time for another break opportunity to go begging before Mayer manages to hold, sealing the deal with an ace.
Second set: Nadal* 6-3, 4-2 Mayer (*denotes server): A love game as Nadal edges towards a two-set lead. Both players are beginning to grunt with more regularity now – topical given the furore over last night’s performance by Aryna Sabalenka. No one’s taken offence here though and there’s no outrage yet.
Second set: Nadal 6-3, 3-2 Mayer* (*denotes server): A booming ace – his fourth of the match – that seems to tear a hole in the head of Nadal’s racket brings up game point for Mayer and when Nadal finds the net on the next point, Mayer has a second service under his belt this set.
Second set: Nadal* 6-3, 3-1 Mayer (*denotes server): Not much messing about from Nadal here. He holds and is looking full of energy so far. Also, it’s worth noting, there is no sign of the knee problem that plagued him at the end of last year.
Second set: Nadal 6-3, 2-1 Mayer* (*denotes server): Thank goodness there’s so much flouro on the players today – the shadows are getting longer on Rod Laver Arena and it would be difficult to pick them out if it were not for their bright-coloured clothing choices. Mayer holds for the first time this set.
Second set: Nadal* 6-3, 2-0 Mayer (*denotes server): Oof, that’s excellent from Mayer this time! A forehand from the Argentine would normally be a winner, but Nadal reaches with trademark flexibility and gets it back, only for Mayer to unleash another forehand, this time an unreturnable one. Still, Nadal holds to consolidate his early break.
Updated
Second set: Nadal 6-3, 1-0 Mayer* (*denotes server): Nadal continues where he left off in the first set, with another game won and another break in the bank. The final point almost beggars belief as the trajectory of the ball over the net and the spin on it bamboozles Mayer completely. Nadal’s warming up nicely here.
Rafael Nadal wins the first set 6-3!
First set: Nadal* 6-3 Mayer (*denotes server): Nadal has two chances to secure the opening set and he needs both as Mayer saves the first before the Argentine fires one out at the baseline. First blood to Nadal, and it’s been pretty straightforward for the top seed so far.
First set: Nadal 5-3 Mayer* (*denotes server): Nadal cruises to 40-0 up on Mayer’s serve, and the writing appears to be on the wall for the Argentine. But wait, what’s this? He saves the first two... and then the third, as Nadal can only find the net. He then finishes off a lengthy rally at the net but Rafa brings it back to deuce with a monstrous backhand winner down the line. A fourth set point soon follows though – again saved, this time with a forehand winner – before he finally manages to hold. Tremendous effort from Mayer!
“Sleeveless shirts aside (would they be vests?) I’m shocked by the reports Djokovic is calling for a boycott of 2019’s tournament,” Andrew Benton writes. “He has so much privilege, opportunity and money, seems very wrong indeed, if true. No-one actually needs tennis.” A valid point is raised: when is a sleeveless shirt not a vest? And vice versa. I’m no follower of fashion, but I’m thinking a vest has bigger holes to put your arms through?
First set: Nadal* 5-2 Mayer (*denotes server): Mayer delivers a couple of unforced errors from the baseline to make Nadal’s job a little easier here. He gets a reprieve after challenging one line call, but it’s not enough to prevent Nadal moving to within one game of the first set.
First set: Nadal 4-2 Mayer* (*denotes server): Mayer’s back on form with the ball in his hand here. He pulls it back to a two-game deficit with some confident serving.
First set: Nadal* 4-1 Mayer (*denotes server): Mayer’s just been called “an offensive tennis player” on the telly – I’ve always found him quite charming – and his aggression helps him bring up two break-back points. Nadal saves the first and then on the second the ball is called out – it’s reviewed by Nadal and replays prove it landed in. Rafa gets the point but Mayer isn’t happy about it. He approaches the umpire and jabs his finger at him. That’s not going to change anything though, and Nadal goes on to hold.
Updated
First set: Nadal 3-1 Mayer* (*denotes server): Nadal is standing well back to receive Mayer’s serves – he’s in the shadows on the first serve, and barely out of them on the second. Mayer counters well by advancing to the net on occasion, and on another relying on a booming forehand winner down the line. Nadal forces back to deuce though before a double fault gives him a first chance to break this match. A classic whipped forehand ensures he does indeed break and open up a two-game advantage.
First set: Nadal* 2-1 Mayer (*denotes server): Aaaand finally, Channel 7 decide to switch to this match and I’m able to give some more detailed updates. Well, not quite yet, but the next game, definitely. Rafa holds.
“#TBT came early for Rafa... And is probably going to last the week long... (the fortnight, maybe?),” writes in Aditi Modi. I’ll be honest I had to google that one, but yes, Throwback Thursday has indeed come a day early – Rafa’s rocking his sleeveless look again, complete with matching pink headband, wristband and shorts.
First set: Nadal 1-1 Mayer* (*denotes server): No problems for Mayer on his first service game, taking it for the loss of just one point. Things warming up nicely.
Updated
First set: Nadal* 1-0 Mayer (*denotes server): OK, here we go then. Rafa serves first and bangs down his first ace of the day on the second point but Mayer fires off two backhand winners to at least make things interesting. Another Nadal ace secures the opening game though.
Nadal and Mayer are now on court because Caroline Wozniacki has just completed one of the comebacks of the tournament in the previous match on Rod Laver Arena. The Danish second seed showed ridiculous resilience to fight back from the brink of defeat – she was 5-1, 40-15 down in the deciding set – to edge past Croat Jana Fett 3-6, 6-2, 7-5 and into the third round.
Preamble
Hello again. Day three and round two is upon us and that means another opportunity to run the rule over world No1 Rafael Nadal, his form and his shonky knees. The Spanish top seed didn’t appear to have any particular adverse reaction on his official return to tennis last time out in a straight set dismantling of Victor Estrella Burgos, but he – and his legs – are set to be tested a little further by today’s opponent, Leonardo Mayer.
The Argentine, ranked 52 in the world, has recent history with Nadal and pushed him to four sets in the second round of last year’s US Open, before the Spaniard went on to lift the trophy at Flushing Meadows – his 16th slam title, no less. That was one of four times this pair have met, and Nadal has won every one of them, but he was at pains earlier this week to say he will not be underestimating his opponent today.
Mayer, for the record, beat Chilean Nicolas Jarry 6-2, 7-6 (7-1), 6-3 to book today’s date with Nadal. A meeting with either Australia’s John Millman or Damir Dzumhur – currently in action on Court No3 – awaits the lucky winner.
The players will be on Rod Laver Arena shortly. In the meantime, flick me an email or tweet with any thoughts on today’s match, this year’s Open, last night’s kerfuffle about grunting or even Rafa’s bold decision to revert back to sleeveless shirts (what everyone is really talking about).
Mike will be here shortly. In the meantime, here’s Simon Cambers on Alex De Minaur, Australia’s latest tennis hero in the mould of one of the nation’s best ever:
