Nadal saved a set level within the first-set tie-break and fought again from a break down within the second set, earlier than closing out the match in a single hour, 44 minutes.
“Very completely happy to start out the season with a title … and from the place we’re coming, it is very particular,” mentioned Nadal. “Tonight I believe I performed my finest match up to now since I arrived right here, for sure, towards a really troublesome participant.”
“If we put every part collectively and analyze all of the issues that I went via the final 5 months, together with the Covid after Abu Dhabi, in fact I’m completely happy,” he added.
“In fact there have been nonetheless doubts, however much more doubts throughout lots of months, if I can be again.”
However Nadal insisted there was nonetheless a lot to be carried out as he appears to be like to regain match sharpness and add to his tally of 20 majors, a file he at present shares with Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic.
“Nicely, precisely the place I want to be is being 100 % wholesome … enjoying till the top of the season and with out coming again after 5, six months outdoors of the competitors … I’ve lots of issues to maintain enhancing … and I’ll strive arduous.”