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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Sport
Tumaini Carayol at Melbourne Park

Rafael Nadal revels in Australian Open return to sweep past Yannick Hanfmann

Rafael Nadal Yannick Hanfmann Australian Open Australia Covid
Victory is sweet for Rafael Nadal after beating Yannick Hanfmann in three sets, 6-2, 6-3, 6-4.
Victory is sweet for Rafael Nadal after beating Yannick Hanfmann in three sets, 6-2, 6-3, 6-4. Photograph: Martin Keep/AFP/Getty Images

It was not always clear that Rafael Nadal would make it back to the Australian Open this year, but 20 seasons into his illustrious career, he has developed a knack for blowing past even the most generous expectations.

Nadal is indeed in Melbourne, he has already won five matches in the new year and for the first time in his career he is at a grand slam tournament without either of his greatest rivals, Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic. On Wednesday, Nadal returned to Rod Laver Arena and saw off a strong performance by Yannick Hanfmann to win 6-2, 6-3, 6-4 and reach the third round of the Australian Open.

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