Easy win for Nadal

MADRID — Rafael Nadal breezed past 16-year-old Darwin Blanch to reach the Madrid Open second round Thursday as he began his farewell appearance in the Spanish capital.

The 37-year-old said this week he was not fully fit but demolished his American opponent 6-1, 6-0 in one hour and three minutes as he continues his comeback from injury.

Nadal is expecting 2024 to be his final season in tennis.