Nadal defends Sinner: "Never tried to cheat". ATP Madrid underway

"I am convinced that Jannik never tried to cheat or gain an advantage over others". Two weeks after the return to the field of Sinner, Rafael Nadal intervenes in a matter that has caused much discussion, defending the Alto Adige player tooth and nail. The occasion is a long interview that the former Spanish tennis player gave to the English newspaper Telegraph. "I am sure not only that he is innocent - continues Nadal -, but also that he is an honest person. In the end, if I am not mistaken, he came out innocent from the sentence, it was not something positive for tennis, but these things sometimes happen, accidents happen, and I consider it as such, because I believe in Jannik. He and Wada have reached an agreement and now the case is closed. If we do not like how the protocols work, evidently the people involved must work to improve them". Which is what will happen also thanks to this case.

In the meantime the game is being playedATP 1000 Madrid. Federico China he earned access to the round of 32 by beating Coleman Wong 7-6 (5) 6-1. The eighteen-year-old from Palermo was the youngest player to win a match in the main draw in this tournament and tomorrow he will face the American Sebastian Korda. "Yesterday I felt a certain type of pressure, but it's normal - said Cinà after the match -. Of course playing here with all the best players changes the expectations. But I will try to manage it in the next tournaments too".

Also yesterday, Fabio Fognini was eliminated by the Serbian Laslo Dere with a clear 6-2 6-3, while Flavio Cobolli got the better of Marozsan 7-6 (4), 7-5.

Today there will be a sort of direct clash between Italy and Serbia with Lorenzo Sonego who will face Miomir Kecmanovic, while Matteo Arnaldi will face Borna Coric. Also on the field is Mattia Bellucci against the Bosnian Damir Dzumhur and Luciano Darderi with the French Quentin Halys. In the women's Lucia Bronzetti meets the American Madison Keys.