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Tommy Haas told Rafael Nadal it was an honour to play him. It was also unlucky.
After blowing out to a world ranking of 190, the former world No.2 was always in danger of catching one of the all-time greats early in the Australian Open.
But the 33-year-old made sure Nadal had to work hard for his berth in the third round and, although Wednesday’s match only lasted three sets, the current world No.2 never had it easy.
The pair engaged in a warm exchange at the end of Nadal’s 6-4 6-3 6-4 win, with Haas unsure of whether he’ll be back on centre court at Melbourne Park, where he reached three of his four grand slam semi-finals.
“I just basically said that this might as well be my last time on Rod Laver Arena. Who knows if I’m back here and who knows if I ever play there again?” he said.
“You know, I just said that it’s an honour to compete against him, and I wish him well.”
After Nadal raced to a 4-0 lead in the first set, Haas fought back to trail 5-4 with a break point, but the Spaniard withstood the challenge to take the set.
The rest of the match played out similarly with Nadal responding to every challenge Haas threw at him, including a break in the third set.
“I don’t know if it’s the perfect match, but I won in three sets. I started match playing fantastic, especially the first seven games,” Nadal said.
“I won already two matches in straight sets with positive feeling. I am well.”
Despite being pushed all the way, the 10-times grand slam winner was happy to get through in three sets and in two hours and 29 minutes.
“Tough match is when you play five sets,” he said.
“You cannot expect win easy against nobody, and especially against Tommy Haas. He’s fantastic player.
“Was a positive match, but not that very strong, demanding. We didn’t play four hours and a half, five hours. Three sets, so wasn’t that tough.”
Haas, who endured hip and elbow surgery in 2010 to dive to a ranking of 373 at the end of that year, was encouraged by his form as he still ponders his future, which the German said could be decided in the next three or four months.
“Just a few points here and there that could have gone a little bit differently, maybe, you know, who knows if one of those sets could have been mine?” Haas said.
“Overall I’m pretty happy with the way I played at times.
“There is still a lot of room to improve and be more consistent. I still feel like I’m lacking the experience of matches because it hasn’t been really that many in the last almost two years now. That hurt me a little bit going into such a big match.
“I really enjoyed it and gave it all I have. I can’t complain about that.”
Nadal should have an easier third round assignment against Slovakian qualifier Lukas Lacko.
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