World No 1 Rafael Nadal and last year's finalist Andy Murray eased into the Australian Open second round on the back of injury retirements yesterday
World No 1 Rafael Nadal and last year's finalist Andy Murray eased into the Australian Open second round on the back of injury retirements yesterday.
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Nadal advanced after Marcos Daniel retired during the second set with a knee injury, while Murray got through when Karol Beck succumbed to shoulder trouble while trailing in the third set.
Nadal was only on court for 47 minutes and the nine-time Grand Slam champion sought more work on his service after the injury-shortened match.
"I practised for half-an-hour after the match. Hopefully my serve is going to be fine," he said.
Nadal was sympathetic with Daniel's plight after he was forced out with a knee injury in his quarter-final against Murray at last year's Australian Open.
"He's a really nice guy and I'm really sorry for him," he said of the 93rd-ranked Daniel. "I wish him all the best for the recovery. Hopefully it is nothing really important."
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