Nadal Grabs First Win on Madrid Blue Clay Court

Published December 17, 2016

Rafael Nadal from Spain serves during a Madrid Open tennis tournament match against Nikolay Davydenko from Russia in Madrid, Wednesday, May 9, 2012. (AP Photo/Andres Kudacki) (AP2012)

Having the blues isn't always a bad thing. Just ask Rafael Nadal.

The Spanish tennis star opened up the Madrid Open defeating Nikolay Davydenko 6-2, 6-2 in the second round on a blue clay court.

Nadal had little trouble on the surface that he criticized this week as soft and slippery, hitting six aces.

"I played much better than I expect," Nadal said. "The (blue) court ... doesn't make you feel comfortable. It's difficult, hard to attack and come back to defend. You just have to try and adapt."

In the women's tournament, defending champion Petra Kvitova lost to Lucie Hradecka 6-4, 6-3.

Nadal, who broke his Russian opponent four times to advance to the third round, will meet Fernando Verdasco. The Spaniard defeated Alejandro Falla of Colombia 6-7 (4), 6-4, 6-4.

Third-ranked Roger Federer will open against Milos Raonic of Canada later Wednesday.

Also, Marin Cilic beat John Isner 7-6 (4), 7-6 (3) and fifth-seeded David Ferrer advanced by beating Radek Stepanek 7-6 (4), 6-2.

"It has nothing to do with the courts, I just didn't play well," said Isner, who praised his Croatian opponent. "He has played better and he deserves to win."

Other winners included Stanislas Wawrinka of Switzerland, Alexandr Dolgopolov of Russia and French pair Gael Monfils and Richard Gasquet.

The third-seeded Kvitova struggled with her serve against Hradecka. Kvitova was broken five times by Hradecka of Czeck republic, who will face Ekaterina Makarova in the third round. Makarova beat Maria Kirilenko of Russia 6-4, 6-4 to advance.

Li Na of China and Samantha Stosur of Australia both reached the quarterfinals along with Agnieszka Radwanska, who routed Sara Errani 6-0, 6-1 and ended the Italian's 16-match winning streak.

Errani failed to convert any of her eight break points as she showed little of the consistent play that carried her to three straight titles this season.

Radwanska will face Roberta Vinci following her 6-1, 6-2 victory over Yanina Wickmayer of Belgium.

Based on reporting by The Associated Press.

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