World No.1 Rafael Nadal beaten at Kooyong Classic by Frenchman Richard Gasquet

IT took 16 tries, but Frenchman Richard Gasquet has finally broken his hoodoo against Rafael Nadal, defeating the World No.1 at the Kooyong Classic in Melbourne.

Rafael Nadal fires one back at Richard Gasquet during their clash at the Kooyong Classic. Picture: Getty Images

WORLD No.1 Rafael Nadal was beaten but not defeated despite falling short in his only official Australian Open lead-in match.

The 6-4 7-5 loss to Frenchman Richard Gasquet at the Kooyong Classic wasn’t the ideal start to the top-ranked Spaniard’s 2018 campaign as he struggled to find his groove on a swirling centre court.

But, despite the result, Nadal said his first match in almost two months was exactly what he needed as he eyes a bigger prize over the next fortnight.

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Rafael Nadal fires one back at Richard Gasquet during their clash at the Kooyong Classic. Picture: Getty Images

“It was a good test for me and good practice,” he said.

“That’s the most important thing.”

Nadal, 31, conceded that last year was “a long year” as he battled ongoing knee injuries that forced his withdrawal from the year-ending ATP Finals in London.

He affirmed that both he and his knee are “good” and that if there were any injury cloud still hanging over him, he would not be in Melbourne.

“My idea is just to keep practising the next couple of days to be ready for the beginning of the Australian Open.”

Richard Gasquet on the way to toppling the World No.1 at Kooyong. Picture: Getty Images

His serve broken three times in the second set, Nadal’s concentration appeared to waver at times and there were moments of erraticism, particularly on his forehand side and on his serve.

The Spaniard also appeared frustrated on a number of occasions with his timing when striking the ball.

He fought back, twice breaking Gasquet’s serve in the second set but the Frenchman held on to prevail.

Nadal has trained every day this week at Melbourne Park and will play in Wednesday’s Tiebreak Tens event at Rod Laver Arena, and is not scheduled to play any more official matches before the first grand slam of the year kicks off on Monday.

Gasquet had not won a set from Nadal in a decade, and has not beaten the 16-time grand slam winner in any of their 15 ATP meetings.

Today isn't the first time @RafaelNadal and @richardgasquet1 have met on the tennis court...let's throw it WAY back to when they were 13 👶👶 #throwbacktuesday pic.twitter.com/nCsBoFx5Kb

— #7TENNIS 🎾 (@7tennis) January 9, 2018

He may have lost the match but Rafael Nadal has not lost any fans 👏#KooyongClassic pic.twitter.com/bkJFrodrIE

— Kooyong Classic (@KooyongClassic) January 9, 2018

And the Frenchman – who said he is feeling good ahead of his 14th Australian Open campaign - was pleased with his showing in front of a very one-sided Kooyong crowd.

“Of course it’s always nice to play against him, to beat him and to play well,” he said.

“I’m hitting great. It’s always nice to play matches like that.”

Nadal’s countryman and world No. 10 Pablo Carreno Busta clawed back to beat seventh-ranked David Goffin in three sets 1-6 7-6 (4) 6-3.

Former world No. 1 Novak Djokovic will play at Kooyong on Wednesday in his first match in 182 days, after he retired due to an elbow injury at last year’s Wimbledon in July.

The Serbian has trained behind closed doors at Melbourne Park this week and was a late addition to the Kooyong Classic lineup as he looks to test his fitness ahead of the Australian Open.

DESTANEE DOWNED, BUT NOT OUT

Destanee Aiava plays a shot during her clash with German Andrea Petkovic at Kooyong. Picture: Julian Smith

MELBOURNE teenager Destanee Aiava is confident that her Australian Open preparation is on track despite being overrun at the Kooyong Classic.

The 17-year-old was defeated 6-3 3-6 2-6 by former world No. 9 Andrea Petkovic, admitting she lost her rhythm after breaking the German twice in the opening set.

But she said she was pleased to win a set and has her focus narrowed toward her second Australian Open campaign.

“She’s (Petkovic) got a lot of experience on me, and that kind of played a part in it as well,” Aiava said.

“It’s all preparation for Aus Open. I don’t think it really matters right now – the big one is Aus Open and my main focus is that.”

Aiava, who lives in Melbourne’s southeast, is also sporting a new look ahead of the year’s first grand slam, dying her hair from dark brown to light blonde.

“I just felt like I needed a change,” she said.

“I do (feel different with it). New hair, new me, new year.”

Petkovic, 30, said she took time to adjust yesterday as she battled swirling conditions on Kooyong’s centre court and the challenges of facing a new opponent.

She liked what she saw from Aiava, who will have her final tune-up for the upcoming slam tomorrow.

“I think she has a bright future if she continues like this,” the German said.

“Her serve is amazing and her groundstrokes are really powerful. I think she can do really well.”

Originally published as World No.1 Rafael Nadal beaten at Kooyong Classic by Frenchman Richard Gasquet