Nadal Wins Thriller On First Day Of Mutua Madrid Open Virtual Pro

Rafael Nadal has won the Mutua Madrid Open five times, and he is off to a good start to his pursuit of the Mutua Madrid Open Virtual Pro title.

Nadal proved clutch on Monday in his first video game match played in Manolo Santana Stadium, squeaking by #NextGenATP Canadian Denis Shapovalov 4-3(3). The Spaniard leads Group 1 with a 1-0 record after the first day of action. He finished off his victory with a backhand winner, raising both arms and cracking a smile to celebrate.

The @RafaelNadal celebration ?

Rafa is off to a winning start in the #MMOpen Virtual Pro, defeating Shapovalov 4-3(3) in Group 1. ? pic.twitter.com/vFLP5jcSkR

— ATP Tour (@atptour) April 27, 2020

Also winning in Nadal’s group was former World No. 1 Andy Murray, who beat Frenchman Benoit Paire 3-1.

Argentine Diego Schwartzman opened the event with a close-fought win over David Ferrer 4-3(4). Ferrer, the former World No. 3, returned to the ATP Tour — virtually, at least — to help with this charitable event. Schwartzman took little rest, returning to the Caja Mágica’s centre court for a convincing 3-1 win over John Isner, giving him an impressive 2-0 record in Group 2.

Stefanos Tsitsipas, the reigning Nitto ATP Finals champion, did not disappoint with a controller in his hand. He defeated both Italian Fabio Fognini and Japanese Kei Nishikori 3-0, guaranteeing himself a place in the quarter-finals, which begin Wednesday.

In Group 4, David Goffin and Alexander Zverev picked up one win each against Lucas Pouille, both triumphing 3-1. 

Make sure to tune in to the Mutua Madrid Open’s Faebook page to watch the rest of the round-robin matches.

Monday Results

Group 1
Nadal d. Shapovalov 4-3 (3)
Murray d. Paire 3-1

Group 2
Schwartzman d. Ferrer 4-3 (4)
Schwartzman d. Isner 3-1

Group 3
Tsitsipas d. Fognini 3-0
Fognini d. Tiafoe 4-3 (4)
Tsitsipas d. Nishikori 3-0
Nishikori d. Tiafoe 3-0

Group 4 
Goffin d. Pouille 3-1
Zverev d. Pouille 3-1