Nadal – Cobolli at the ATP Barcelona today: the Spaniard wins on his return to the court

Return to the field with victory for Rafael Nadal. More than three months after his last match (the quarter-final in Brisbane lost against Thompson), the 37-year-old Spaniard, former world number 1, made his debut at the tournament with a success ATP 500 in Barcelona. A victory of style too: before the match point, the home crowd chants an irreverent “goodbye Flavio” against the Italian. Nadal stops, shakes his head and apologizes to his opponent. Then, after the winning point, the handshake at the net.

Nadal on the ‘Rafa Nadal’ court

In what has always been his tournament (he won it 12 times and the organizers named the central court after him) the Majorcan, who slipped to number 644 in the ranking and competing with a protected ranking, beat the Italian in two sets Flavio Cobolli, 62 in the world: 6-2 6-3 the final score in an hour and 25 minutes of play. In the second round Nadal – who hadn’t played a match on clay since the 2022 Roland Garros final won against Ruud (681 days) – will face the Australian Alex De Minaurnumber 4 in the draw and 11 in the world.

Arnaldi beats Baez

Fly to the round of 16 Matteo Arnaldi. The 23-year-old from Sanremo, number 40 in the world, beat the Argentine in three sets Sebastian Baez, 19 ATP and eighth seed: 5-7 7-6(8) 6-2 the final score in favor of Arnaldi after almost three hours of play. The blue saved 4 match points in the second set, one at 5-4 and three in the tie break when he found himself trailing 6-3. Next opponent is the winner of the match between the Chilean Nicolas Jarry and the Argentine Marco Trungelliti.

Bucharest, Sonego ko with Fonseca

Immediately outside Lorenzo Sonego at the 250 tournament in Bucharest. The 28-year-old from Turin, number 51 in the world and sixth seed, was defeated by the 17-year-old Brazilian Joao Fonseca, number 276 in the ATP ranking, with a score of 7-6 (7-5) 7-5 in two hours and five minutes of game.

Stuttgart, Paolini wins derby

Going to Jasmine Paolini the derby with Sara Errani at the WTA 500 in Stuttgart (earth, prize money $802,237). The 28-year-old Tuscan, number 14 in the world, prevailed over her doubles partner, number 102 in the WTA ranking and coming from the qualifiers, with a score of 6-1 6-0 in 47 minutes of play.