Nadal survives scare to progress to second round of the China Open

 

World number eight Rafael Nadal survived a scare against one of his former ball boys to progress to the second round of the China Open.

In his first match since his elimination from the US Open last month, the Spaniard eventually overcame Wu Di 6-4 6-4, who is ranked 230th. But he appeared to be lacking in match practice as his serve was broken on four occasions from the Chinese player, with the Spaniard dropping three straight games on his serve.

But the former number one battled on and managed to secure the win, sending him through to the second round.

“The last three games of the match I was playing better. I hit some good forehands down the line and that’s why I finished well,’ said Nadal.

29 year old Nadal will now play Canada’s Vasek Pospisil in the second round.

In the other match, world number one Novak Djokovic continued his unbeaten record in China after beating Simone Bolelli 6-1 6-1 as the Serbian looks to win his sixth successive China Open. Djokovic faces Australian qualifier John Millman in the second round.