Nadal Makes Impressive Start to Artois Championships

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Top seed Rafael Nadal made an impressive transition from the clay courts of Paris to the grass courts of The Queen’s Club, taking just 67 minutes to defeat Juan Martin del Potro and move through to the third round of the Artois Championships.

Nadal, who at 21 became the youngest player ever to win three consecutive French Open titles when he defeated Roger Federer on Sunday, needed just a break in each set against del Potro to record a 6-4, 6-4 win.

“I'm happy,” said Nadal. “Always tough match, first match on grass. Very difficult to win, but is more difficult to have good feelings. Today I have good feelings. I'm very happy for that. After some games, I start returning so much better. Very comfortable whole time, whole match, with myself. For the rest, well, some mistakes, but very normal mistakes because I am playing on grass. Feeling very well the ball. I was practicing very bad with my backhand, but in the match I feel so much better.”

Nadal, who reached the quarterfinals at The Queen’s Club on his debut 12 months ago, will now meet Max Mirnyi in the third round after the “Beast” from Belarus defeated Gael Monfils in three sets.

And the Spaniard, who admitted to feeling tired during his practise session and during his doubles with Feliciano Lopez on Tuesday, said he was feeling much better prior to his singles on Wednesday.

“Yeah, yesterday was terrible in doubles, really terrible,” said Nadal, who like Novak Djokovic was playing his 50th match of the season. “Well, very tired, no? I want to move and I can't move, I can't do anything. Today I wake up with illusion better. I don't feel like this. I go to breakfast. For one time in my life I was prepared before the coach and the physio, so that's good.”

Playing at the Artois Championships for the second time, Nadal said he was delighted to receive a nice reception from the fans. “Every time when I'm going to Wimbledon or last year here, too, the court was full every times. That's very, very nice atmosphere.

“[To] play one tournament like this is always special. Is a club. Is a very traditional place. Is not the same play when is a big stadium, but just all new, just for the tournament. Here is a club. If I am playing in Monaco, in my club doing one tournament like this, always is different feelings. So is nice. The public, he always is very, very nice with me, no, maybe a little bit better than Paris.”