Victory is medicine for Nadal

Victory is medicine for Nadal
Updated on

Summary Nadal had been unsure of taking to the court as a result of his medical worries.

Basel (Switzerland) (AFP) - An ongoing appendix problem didn t affect Spanish former world number one Rafael Nadal as he breezed through 6-2, 6-2 in his first round match with Italian journeyman Simone Bolelli at the Swiss Indoors on Monday.

The 28-year-old Spaniard -- who has been on a 10-day antibiotic regime for an appendix which will have to be removed in the coming weeks -- recorded his first victory in three visits to Basel in just 71 minutes breaking Bolelli four times.

Nadal had been unsure of taking to the court as a result of his medical worries. But he said that getting through in good form was a huge relief.

"I had some doubts with myself that I would be able to compete well," said Nadal, seeded second in the event behind five-time champion and home hero Roger Federer.

"Today was a very positive victory for me.

"I m very happy for what happened. With my (summer-long) wrist injury and now the appendix, it s not been a great season. This was a dangerous match for me and I won it.

"I m very pleased with what happened. When you are 10 days on antibiotics, the body goes down some, you feel a little scared on how you will play.

"But I m happy with my performance today, I m looking forward to playing the next round on Wednesday."

Nadal began against Bolelli, a 77th-ranked qualifier by winning a seven-minute opening game before settling into his familiar match rhythm.

He broke twice to claim the first set in 31 minutes and earned a break in the second for 4-2 on the way to victory over the 29-year-old.

Nadal, who has despite his fitness problems won four titles this year including his ninth French Open crown, is amazed that it s been a decade since his last Basel appearance.

"Ten years without being here, that s a long time. But finally I m here," he said.

"I was really sorry not be able to come here last year (fatigue). But I m happy to be here now.

"And I m really happy to get my first Basel win," added Nadal, who lost to Feliciano Lopez in 2003 and Rainer Schuettler a year later.

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