First set: Van de Zandschulp 4-4 Nadal* (* denotes next server)

Van de Zandschulp is called for a foot fault and his serving woes from the start of the match return as Nadal makes it deuce, seizing upon his opponent’s less than confident second serve. And then, out of nowhere, Van de Zandschulp finds a big first serve at the bottom of his backpack and pulls it out to take advantage. A neat bit of net play sees to a hold.

First set: *Van de Zandschulp 3-4 Nadal (*denotes next server)

Both players are beginning to get the winners going, cutting out their early rustiness. Van de Zandschulp takes advantage of an awry backhand volley from Nadal to send a forehand down the line. A perfectly placed forehand to Nadal’s left sees Van de Zandschulp make it 30-all but Nadal aces in response. We head into deuce but Nadal avoids any drama.

First set: Van de Zandschulp 3-3 Nadal* (*denotes next server)

Van de Zandschulp delivers a couple of cross-court specials: winners with forehand and backhand. An ace secures the game.

First set: *Van de Zandschulp 2-3 Nadal (*denotes next server)

Nadal is properly animated for the first time in the match, finding some rhythm with a forehand down the line that Van de Zandschulp can’t return. He celebrates with the crowd. The Spaniard is racing up to the net, having located an extra bit of magic in the last few rallies. He holds.

First set: Van de Zandschulp 2-2 Nadal* (*denotes next server)

Van de Zandschulp recovers from his serving nightmare to fire down a couple of aces, running through the game quickly.

“Feeling sad more than anything, but the crowd is lifting me,” writes Carrie Ilbrey. “A fitting goodbye and thank you.”

First set: *Van de Zandschulp 1-2 Nadal (*denotes next server)

Van de Zandschulp gets Nadal twisting and turning, levelling things up at 15-15. Nadal continues to shape up for that trademark forehand whip, but the venom of old isn’t there as he nets to make it 15-30. Nadal recovers and races to the net to force a backhand lob from Van de Zandschulp which goes wide, and the game is secured with a Dutch backhand into the net.

First set: Van de Zandschulp 1-1 Nadal* (*denotes next server)

Van de Zandschulp renders Nadal shotless with a forceful backhand before Nadal tries a classic forehand down the line … it’s out. The Dutchman goes 40-0 up … but then double-faults twice! Another first serve goes wrong and then he nets to make it deuce! He nets again with his first serve before finally landing one, prompting a lengthy rally – Nadal goes long to give Van de Zandschulp advantage. Nadal nets a return and the mini-crisis is halted.

First set: *Van de Zandschulp 0-1 Nadal (* denotes next server)

It’s Nadal to serve first but it’s Van de Zandschulp who immediately looks the part, advancing to the net to nail his backhand volley for the first point. Nadal levels up but Van de Zandschulp’s deep forehand sees the Spaniard find the net. Nadal has the crowd, though, and pumps the fists when making it 40-30. A smash by the net secures the game and eases the nerves, if there are any.

Right then, we’re pretty close to the start. Van de Zandschulp has played Nadal twice and lost both, but that was back in 2022 at Wimbledon and the French Open. The crowd is roaring for Nadal, even through the warm-ups. Looks the place to be right now.

Van de Zandschulp ruined another Spaniard’s party earlier this year, dumping Carlos Alcaraz out of the US Open in the second round.

Oh, and here’s a rather decent stat: Nadal hasn’t lost a singles match in the Davis Cup since February 2004. Fancy guessing who beat him?

And here’s Tumaini Carayol reporting on Nadal’s pre-match press conference, which had to be done at a hotel rather than the Palacio de Deportes because of the inevitable media frenzy.

“You made me reimagine my game – even going so far as to change the size of my racket head, hoping for any edge. And you know what, Rafa, you made me enjoy the game even more.”

It really is quite fascinating how much time these two have for one another.

Preamble