Nadal downs De Minaur in Madrid

Rafael Nadal continued his return to form as he defeated Alex de Minaur 7-6(6), 6-3 in the second round of the Madrid Open on Saturday. The five-time Madrid champion lost to De Minaur in Barcelona last week, but in front of another hugely partisan crowd the 37-year-old outclassed the Australian 10th seed this time around. “The atmosphere here is just a joke so just can’t thank enough everybody here,” Nadal said after the crowd rose in appreciation of his display.