Madrid Open: Rafael Nadal Eases Past Felix Auger Aiassime In Second Round

Rafael Nadal is off for his sixth title bid in Madrid with a second-round match win over Canadian player Felix Auger Aiassime in straight sets, 6- 6-3. 

Auger showed some aggression against the second seed but was later dominated by the Spaniard won a breakpoint at 3-4 before serving him out to win the first set. In the second set, the Canadian could last longer straight sets with Nadal won three more breaks to win the match. 

"The first seven games I didn't have a lot of rhythms," Nadal recalled the opening set "We had a lot of first serves and returning was very difficult...I managed to do a break and from there onwards, it's a turning point. I think I started to return a little better from thereon."

Meanwhile, Auger was sensational in his opening match against Danis Shapovalov and defeated the Israeli in straight sets, 6-2 7-6(7) by winning 71 per cent of his service points against his opponent won only won 57 per cent. 

In the five-time titlist is yet to snap his title drought this season and his bid to for 12th title in Monte-Carlo Masters and Barcelona Open was stopped by Fabio Fognini and Dominic Thiem in the semi-finals. 

Nadal's third round match will be against United States' Frances Tiafoe and his second ATP FedEx series with the 21-year-old and Hyattsville-native.