RAFAEL NADAL VS JOHN MILLMAN LIVE
FIRST SET (*denotes server)
*NADAL 4-1 MILLMAN
Nadal backs up the break with a hold to 30. The second seed is dominating the long rallies at the moment.
NADAL 3-1 MILLMAN*
First sign of problems for Millman as he puts a backhand long and falls 15-30 down. Nadal demonstrates his power with a big backhand down the line.
Two break points. Millman goes for too much with the forehand and drops his serve.
*NADAL 2-1 MILLMAN
Millman nets a forehand return, 40-15 and a big serve from Nadal sees about the game.
NADAL 1-1 MILLMAN*
Confident start from Millman continues as he holds to 30. Doesn’t want to get embroiled in too many long rallies with Nadal though.
*NADAL 1-0 MILLMAN
Early break point chance for Millman after Nadal goes long with a defensive backhand, 30-40. Millman hits a backhand into the net. Missed opportunity there.
And Nadal comes through that tricky start to hold.
00:10: Nadal will serve first…
00:05: Nadal and Millman walk onto court, a bit behind schedule. Warm applause for both players.
23:55: Elsewhere, Coco Gauff is into a third and final set against Russian Anastasia Potapova. That is a battle of two teen stars on Louis Armstrong.
23:45: Nadal and Millman are due on court at midnight BST. In a boost to Nadal’s chances, Stefanos Tsitsipas and Dominic Thiem crashed out earlier today.
23:30: Hello and welcome to LIVE coverage of Rafael Nadal’s first-round clash against John Millman.
RAFAEL NADAL VS JOHN MILLMAN PREVIEW
Twelve months ago, Nadal was forced to retire in the semi-finals after a knee injury.
But Nadal is optimistic those issues have gone.
“I hope to be ready. Last year, honestly, I was not that bad,” he said.
“Of course, my feeling on the knees are better this year than last year. Last year the problem was I played three or four very, very long matches.
“That’s tough. Then happened in that semifinals the thing with the knee. I hope to be ready for it. I think I am playing well. I am practicing the right way during these days.”
