Highlights and Best Moments: Rafa Nadal 2-0 Denis Kudla in Acapulco Open

Thank you for following the broadcast of the match between Spaniard Rafa Nadal and American Denis Kudla.

Rafa Nadal 2-0 Denis Kudla with 6-3 and 6-2.

It's over. Nadal puts the ball out of Kudla's reach and secures the point, the set and the victory. 6-2.

Nadal failed to come from behind twice and a very floaty ball gave Kudla a chance to secure the point. 5-2.

As the game goes on Nadal is master and lord of the match, on this occasion he went with a perfect 5-1 pace.

Kudla has not been able to react since he won the first point and Nadal is on his way to victory. 4-1.

Nadal took the point with ease where Kudla could not respond to the serves or leaving the ball in a very comfortable situation for the Spaniard. 3-1.

Very close point where both had to win it, but Nadal took it with two points out of Kudla. 2-1.

Nadal recovered from a bad start and took the point to tie the game 1-1.

First point close, but Kudla managed to take it to take a 1-0 lead in the second set.

The second set starts between Kudla and Nadal.

Now who made the mistakes was Kudla to leave it at the net and Nadal had no major problems to take the point and the set 6-3.

Nadal crashed several shots into the net and Kudla took enough advantage to take the point. 5-3.

Nadal rallied with a pair of aces that helped him take the point 5-2 and is just one set away from taking the first set in his return to Acapulco.

Kudla played one of those perfect games and at the end with a drop shot he cut the difference 4-2.

Perfect passing by Nadal, including a shot that should have been checked and that with the edge was in. The advantage is for the Spaniard 4-1.

Two good shots at the end of Nadal earned him the point and the advantage is now 3-1.

Great performance by Nadal and he went clean through, unable to give his opponent a reaction. 2-1.

Nadal with two bad shots despite having the advantage and missed the point. The game tied at 1.

The first point of the game went to Nadal unopposed by his opponent. 1-0.

Play begins between Nadal and Kudla.

Nadal and Kudla are already in the field and the draw has been made.

In minutes the match between Rafa Nadal and Denis Kudla will start, highlighting that both are already entering the field.

Rafa Nadal comes from being champion of the Australia Open by defeating Russian Daniil Medvedev by a score of 3-2, remembering that they can face each other again in this event, which would be one of the main attractions.

Medvedev won 6-3, 6-4 against Frenchman Paire, so the match between Nadal and Kudla will be able to start on time as scheduled.

People are already outside the arena making their way in to watch the two remaining matches at the Acapulco Open today, including Nadal's debut.

Happy to see you again! 🥰#AMT2022 | #NewBeginnings pic.twitter.com/PU7PEpXVsP

— Abierto Mexicano (@AbiertoTelcel) February 23, 2022

Italian Matteo Berrettini had to retire in the second set due to muscle discomfort, which is why American Tommy Paul, despite losing the first set, will advance to the next round.

Rafa Nadal this morning had the opportunity to practice for a while and get ready for his debut that will happen in a few more minutes.

The fans are slowly beginning to fill the NGP Seguros Arena in Acapulco because the long-awaited debut of Spaniard Rafa Nadal is approaching.

It should be remembered that last year Rafa Nadal did not compete in the tournament after being the reigning champion, so, let's say, he will be defending his crown after two years.

It should be noted that the American Kudla has already played a couple of matches in the Acapulco Open where he defeated the Mexican Pacheco 2-1 but lost 2-1 against the German Daniel Atmaier, however, due to the absence of his compatriot Opelka, Kudla took his place.

It should be noted that Nadal's game against Kudla will take place after the match that is currently taking place between Daniil Medvedev and Benoit Paire, where the Russian is winning 1 set to 0 and, in the second set, has a 1-0 lead.

Rafa Nadal makes his presentation at the Acapulco Open 2022 and will face American Denis Kudla. We begin with VAVEL's coverage of the first round match.

Do not miss a detail of the match with the live updates and commentaries of VAVEL. Follow along with us all the details, commentaries, analysis and lineups for this Rafa Nadal vs Denis Kudla match for the Acapulco Open 2022.

This is the probable start time for the Rafa Nadal vs Denis Kudla match on February 22 in several countries:

Argentina: 11:00 PM on ESPN and Star +

Bolivia: 10:00 PM on ESPN and Star +

Brazil: 11:00 PM on ESPN and Star +

Chile: 10:00 PM on ESPN and Star +

Colombia: 9:00 PM on ESPN and Star +

Ecuador: 9:00 PM on ESPN and Star +

United States (ET): 9:00 PM on ESPN and Star +

Spain: 3:00 AM

Mexico: 8:00 PM on ESPN and Star +

Paraguay: 9:00 PM on ESPN and Star +

Peru: 9:00 PM on ESPN and Star +

Uruguay: 11:00 PM on ESPN and Star +

The winner of this match between Spaniard Rafa Nadal and American Denis Kudla will face the winner of the match between Bulgarian Dimitri Dimitrov and American Stefan Kozlov.

It should be noted that Rafa Nadal has been very successful in Mexican lands, as he has been champion in 2005 when he defeated Albert Montañez 6-1 and 6-0; in 2013 he won 6-0 and 6-2 against David Ferrer; while in 2020 he defeated the American Taylor Fritz 6-3 and 6-2. It should be noted that he lost in 2017 to American Sam Querrey.

Rafa Nadal a few days ago commented that he accepted the invitation to go play in Acapulco because he is at one hundred percent in his physical capabilities with the goal of winning this tournament:

"My main expectation here is to play, I have played very little for almost two years and I feel like playing and that is the simplest reason why I am here. After Australia I had to analyze how my body would respond because after such an effort I historically have a major slump for a number of days. This time I didn't have it right after returning, but later, but in terms of pain the body is responding relatively well and that led me to make the decision to be here," he said at a press conference.

For this edition the GNP Seguros Arena of Acapulco is being inaugurated, which will have a capacity of 10,400 spectators for tennis and up to 14,000 for show events, highlighting that just this Monday it was inaugurated and the president of MexTenis, Renata Burillo, said she was happy that the project has finally been carried out.

"Some years ago we were thinking about this project, which today is a reality. During this time at Grupo Pegaso we have witnessed that we have worked to the maximum in the last year to reach a successful conclusion".

The Rafa Nadal vs Denis Kudla match will be played at the Arena GNP Seguros, in Acapulco, Mexico. The kick-off is scheduled at 9:00 pm ET.

My name is Adrian Hernandez and I will be your host for this game. We will provide you with pre-game analysis, roster updates, and news as it happens live here on VAVEL.