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Nadal Cruises Past Kudla as Champion Zverev Kicked Out of Acapulco

Acapulco has seen a lot of tennis the past couple of days with the likes of Medvedev, Tsitsipas, Nadal and Zverev all in action.

The now 21 time grand slam winner Rafael Nadal cruised past his first round opponent Denis Kudla with a score of 6-3, 6-2. The Spaniard showed off his insane banana forehands to his Mexican fans as he made it to round 2.

Meanwhile, Zverev, the defending champion, created history in Acapulco in his first round when he ended and won his match at 4:56 am in the morning. He and Brooksby played  a match that became the match to end most late in the day in Mexican tennis history.

With the defending champion in good spirits, it came as a shock when he was kicked out of the tournament after an incident last night.  The incident took place after Zverev’s double match, in which he partnered Brazilian tennis player Marcelo Melo against the British-Finn pair of Lloyd Glasspool and Harri Heliovaara.

Following the conclusion of the match, which saw Zverev and his partner lose 6-2 4-6 (10-6), the World no 3 went and smashed his racquet repeatedly on the umpire’s chair, despite official Alessandro Germani seated on it.

“Due to unsportsmanlike conduct at the conclusion of his doubles match on Tuesday night, Alexander Zverev has been withdrawn from the tournament in Acapulco,” the ATP said in a statement.

Zverev was upset with the official over a line call, which took place earlier in the match. He also hurled expletives at Germani.  

Zverev’s second round singles opponent Gojowczyk was also given a walkover following this incident.

Djokovic Returns to On Court Action With A Thrilling Win

The World No. 1 made a comeback last night in Dubai as he played his first official match of 2022. 

The Serbian took on Italy’s Loreonzo Musetti in a thriller under the burning heat as he defeated him 6-3, 6-3 in straight sets. Novak looked to have not lost a single step as he slid his way across the court for outstanding returns.

Recently Nadal and Novak himself have compared Djokovic’s style to that of the current World No. 2 breathing down Novak’s neck and Australian Open finalist, Daniil Medvedev. Is a 2022 dream match on the cards this year with the likes of Djokovic, Medvedev, Tsitsipas and Nadal all in a tournament at the French Open possibly?

“A pleasant experience,” he said.

After thanking the crowd following his first match of 2022, Djokovic added: “I couldn’t pick a better place to kick start the season – it was the best possible experience tonight.

“All in all, it’s a straight-set win so of course I have to be satisfied, especially after not playing for two and a half, almost three months.”

“It’s always in the heat of battle, the atmosphere where you need to get that energy out. Sometimes you are frustrated with yourself, your game, the things that are happening.”

He later said he had received a “very friendly” welcome back to competition by the “majority” of players.

He added: “I’m very thankful for that because having the kind of an understanding at least, I would say, if not support from my peers and my colleagues, is very important to me because they are the people that I get to see sometimes more than my family.

“I care greatly about the relationships that we have.”

Draws Announced for Acapulco and Dubai Duty Free

As the two ATP tournaments commence today, the draws were fully announced last night online. Stars like Medvedev and Nadal, Medvedev, Tsitsipas and Zverev all in the Acapulco Open in Mexico.

While over in Dubai, the Duty Free Tournament will play host to players like the returning World No. 1 Novak Djokovic, Rublev, Murray and Cilic. 

This will be Novak’s first tennis tournament in almost 3 months as he missed this year’s first grand slam, the Australian Open after a controversial legal battle over his Anti Vax lifestyle. 

Meanwhile one of his greatest rivals, Rafael Nadal, who returned to tennis in late December after 4 months tending to injuries has been doing great. He did lose in the first round of a friendly tournament in Abu Dhabi on his return but managed to win an ATP title before winning his 21st career grand slam and becoming the first person to reach that incredible milestone. 

Nadal, drawn in the same side as Medvedev will face Riley Opelka in the first round and prediction wise might go toe to toe again with Australian Open 2022 finalist Daniil Medvedev in the semi finals.

While Djokovic has been drawn to face the Italian Musetti as he looks to bounce back to winning ways with an ATP title after a long time in Dubai. He will most probably face Rublev in the finals in Dubai within the next week and a half.