Pleasant start for the Spanish champions, who used only 77 minutes (6-3, 6-1) before meeting Shapovalov.

Looking for the rhythm of the competition, that consistency in the effort required before Rolando Garros, Rafael Nadal converted his debut in Rome against John Isner In something similar to an anecdote (6-3, 6-1). Or in a lack of courtesy to the fans who populated the Campo Centrale stand and who were only able to enjoy the final stretch without history. In the third round, Denis Shapovalov 21. appears to be the adversary of greater depth for the winner of big companies,

Nadal’s effort lasted only 77 minutes. Never in the last seven against Isner had he managed to get rid of him so quickly. Not even on the same soil at Foro Itlico in the second round of 2015 (6-4, 6-4). Not to miss that second round at Roland Garros 2011, when the Nebraska giants took him in the fifth set. Before finding out the extent of his suffering, Nadal has to stay in Rome.

The only squeak in his machinery came at half an hour, at 3-3, when Isner ruined two break point options after a double fault from Rafa. by the way of rain, with a jolt and a Run Beyond the bottom line, he weighed in on the sentiment of the American, who would no longer have a single choice. It’s not like Nadal will sign up for the next four games. It is that he let only four of the 24 points in contention escape.

With one unfavorable set and 0-2 in the other, the horizon against the 10-time champion looked disappointing for the 37-year-old veteran, who had two of his most famous appearances this year. Reilly Opelka, Not even in the finals in Houston, on clay, had he been able to overcome the disappointment he had a few weeks ago in Dallas, with tie break, the longest in history (46 points). No persistence resisted in Isner’s mood, without reason even to hide his defeat.