Rafael Nadal plays former semi-finalist Tommy Haas in an intriguing second round clash at the Australian Open on Wednesday.
Nadal's exploits at the Australian Open have been blighted by knee problems over the years and the 2009 champion had the worst possible start to the week, in agony just hours before he took to the court against qualifier Alex Kuznetsov.
Fortunately the pain subsided and Nadal was able to take to the court seemingly with no ill effects but will it hold up as the fortnight goes on ?
“I started the match with a little bit of scare at the beginning and nervous because I was really disappointed yesterday,” Nadal said. “But, you know, after the first 10 games that was scare, I started to play with normal conditions. The best thing is I felt the knee very well ... I was ready to play and I played a fantastic match.”
Nadal eased through 6-4, 6-1, 6-1 and Kuznetsov never looked like putting up a competitive challenge. The American was highly rated back in the juniors, reaching the French Open boy's final back in 2004 but he's never made the breakthrough on the professional circuit, losing all 12 of his matches against players ranked inside the top 100.
Haas will surely provide Nadal with a tougher workout. Ten years ago, the German was among the favourites to win this event and he missed a golden chance in the semi-finals, losing to Marat Sa fin from two sets to one down. He made the last four once again in 2007, falling to an inspired Fernando Gonzalez.
However back on the tour after yet another comeback from injury, Haas will not be challenging for glory this year. Ranked 190 in the world he needed a wildcard but he made use of it, defeating young American prospect Denis Kudla in the opening round.
His best chance today will be Nadal sustaining another injury as the Spaniard has won all four of their matches and crushed him in the third round three years ago.
