Nadal wins
Friday, 25 April 2014
BARCELONA, Apr 24 (AFP): Rafael Nadal began his bid for a record ninth title at the Barcelona Open Wednesday with a 7-6 (7/2), 6-4 defeat of journeyman Albert Ramos with his chances also boosted as four-time finalist David Ferrer crashed out.
Nadal, the top seed, put his loss last week in the Monte Carlo quarter-finals to Ferrer out of his mind in a match lasting just over two hours against compatriot Ramos in a battle of left-handers.