(Madrid) Rafael Nadal did not need much effort to score a 6-1, 6-0 victory against the young American Darwin Blanch in the first round of the Madrid Tennis Open on Thursday.
Nadal looked in good form in what was only his third match since returning from injury. He returned to Barcelona last week, losing in the second round to Alex De Minaur.
Aged 37, Nadal arrived in Madrid saying he was not 100% fit and that he was only going to play because the tournament was taking place at home.
On Wednesday, Nadal said that in his current state he would not play if it came to the French Open.