Nadal struggles at times during 4-set win at Australian Open

By HOWARD FENDRICH
AP Tennis Writer

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Rafael Nadal has started the defense of his Australian Open title with a bit of a struggle along the way to a four-set victory over a cramping Jack Draper. Nadal was not in peak form but did manage to beat Draper 7-5, 2-6, 6-4, 6-1 in a match that took more than 3 1/2 hours in Rod Laver Arena. It was the first match win for Nadal in 2023. He had lost six of his preceding seven contests dating to the end of last season. The biggest development on Day 1 might very well have been the withdrawal of Nick Kyrgios. Americans Jessica Pegula, Coco Gauff and Danielle Collins all reached the second round in the women’s bracket with victories earlier Monday.