- Rafael Nadal smashed Aussie star Jason Kubler in Brisbane
- The Spanish veteran dispatched his rival 6-1. 6-2
- The 38-year-old is on the comeback trail
Rafael Nadal has fired another ominous warning to his Australian Open rivals with a ruthless victory over home-town favourite Jason Kubler at the Brisbane International.
In just his second match back from almost a year out of the game, Nadal cast sentiment aside to crush Kubler 6-1 6-2 in a tennis masterclass on Thursday night.
The 22-times grand slam champion followed up his imperious first-round win over Dominic Thiem with an equally breathtaking display at Pat Rafter Arena.
Nadal not only exhibited his unrivalled intensity and iron will, but also showed fans that he retains, even at almost 38 years of age and after career-saving hip surgery, extraordinary physical powers.
Time and again the mighty Spaniard ran down Kubler drop shots to flick winners, or ran around backhands to unleash his ferocious cross-court off-forehand, the deadliest shot in tennis.
Rafael Nadal continued his impressive comeback mission with a straight-sets victory
The 38-year-old demonstrated he still has plenty to give despite a major hip surgery
Australia star Jason Kubler had no answer for the Spanish veteran in Brisbane
Kubler, once branded the “right-handed Rafa” for his own supreme athleticism and clay-court class, never had a sniff.
The Brisbane native and former world No.1 junior didn’t win a solitary rally until midway through the fourth game as Nadal stormed through the opening set with a sublime mix of power and precision, including one exquisite Pat Rafter-like backhand smash flick.
Even Kubler offered a wry smile and nudge to fans after finally earning a point midway through the set.
The only time Nadal looked troubled was when the umpire sheepishly issued the great and fastidious Spaniard a time violation for returning late to the court after a post-first-set toilet break.
After briefly protesting, Nadal shrugged off the affront to storm through the second set with a similar display of shot-making excellence to book a quarter-final date on Friday with another Australian, Jordan Thompson.
