Rafael Nadal crushes Mikhail Youzhny in the first round of the Australian Open

Rafael Nadal celebrates his win over Mikhail Youzhny in the first round

Rafael Nadal looked his ruthless best as he beat Mikhail Youzhny 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 to reach the second round of the Australian Open. The Spaniard looking for his second title down under was not troubled by the Russian throughout the 1 hour, 50 minute encounter. Youzhny had just one break point opportunity in the entire match and couldn’t convert it.

Nadal won 81% of his first serves in the opening set and broke the Russian’s serve twice to take the set 6-3. The Spaniard upped the ante in the second set as he hit outrageous forehand crosscourt winners coupled with deft volleys near the net. He won 100% of his first serves and converted two of three break point chances. He took the second set 6-2 with just three unforced errors.

Youzhny tried every trick in the book to come back into the match late in the third set, but it was too little too late as Nadal hit 17 winners and broke the Russian’s twice to take the set 6-2 and sail into the second round in Melbourne.

Nadal was helped by the Russian who committed a total of 34 unforced errors. The 14-time Grand Slam champion fired three aces and hit 37 winners in a convincing win at the Rod Laver Arena.