SHANGHAI, Nov 11 (AFP): World number two Rafael Nadal overcame a stuttering start before sweeping aside Richard Gasquet as he kicked off his bid for a first Masters Cup title here Sunday.
The muscle-bound Mallorcan lost the first set but found his rhythm in the second and third, winning 3-6, 6-3, 6-4. Fellow Spaniard David Ferrer upset third seed Novak Djokovic 6-4, 6-4 in the later match.
Nadal is seeking a breakthrough win in the elite eight-man tournament after pulling out injured in 2005 and losing to Roger Federer in last year's semi-finals.
In a rollercoaster second set, Nadal broke, was broken but then broke again in successive games before clinching it 6-3, pumping his fists in celebration.
Nadal blows Gasquet away at tennis Masters
FE Team | Published: November 12, 2007 00:00:00 | Updated: February 01, 2018 00:00:00
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