Nadal Leads Auger-Aliassime In Madrid

Eighteen-year-old Felix Auger-Aliassime wasn’t intimidated by the moment, but Rafael Nadal doesn’t need much to grab hold of a match at the Mutua Madrid Open.

The five-time champion took advantage of a loose service game from Auger-Aliassime at 3-4, which included five forehand unforced errors, and the Spaniard served out the set to take the opener 6-3 in their much-anticipated generational clash at La Caja Magica.

The second-seeded Spaniard used his defence well in the opener as Auger-Aliassime came out attacking and showed he has the shots to compete with Nadal on his beloved clay. But Nadal was solid from both sides, and seemed to be playing more comfortable as he served out the set.

The Spaniard had a stomach virus on Sunday but had been practising for at least 90 minutes a day since then. Auger-Aliassime is going for the biggest win of his career after beating countryman and friend Denis Shapovalov, 20, in his opening match in Madrid.

The winner will meet American Frances Tiafoe, who knocked out Germany’s Philipp Kohlschreiber 6-4, 3-6, 6-3.