Confident win for Nadal in his Madrid Open opener

MADRID - Rafael Nadal won his opening match of the Madrid Open against Canadian wild card Felix Auger-Aliassime 6-3, 6-3 on Wednesday.

The Spanish second seed in Madrid had commented on the eve of his debut that he was feeling confident despite having failed to win a tournament on his favorite clay court surface so far in 2019.

His confidence was well placed as he controlled a match played in blustery conditions in Madrid to beat his Canadian rival in just over an hour and a half.

Overall Nadal looked reasonably sharp all match, serving well and moving quickly across the court against a player who is just 18 years of age.

Nadal's rival in the next round will be the American Frances Tiafoe.

No. 6 seed Kai Nishikori also progressed after a 7-5, 7-5 victory over Hugo Dellien in a match that lasted for just over two hours, but No. 7 seed, Juan Martin del Ptro was beaten 6-3, 2-6, 7-5 by Serbia's Laslo Djere.

Earlier in the day two times winner Simona Halep thrashed Viktoria Kuzmova 6-0, 6-0 in just 44 minutes to qualify for the quarter-finals, while number seven seed Kiki Bertens was equally impressive in her last-sixteen tie, beating number 12 seed, Anastasija Sevastova 6-1, 6-2 to continue here progress in Madrid without dropping a set.

No. 1 seed Naomi Osaka of Japan had to work slightly harder than her 6-2, 6-3 triumph over Aliaksandra Sashnovich might suggest in a match that lasted for an hour and 23 minutes.