Rafael Nadal Wins Opener In Basel Despite Being Afflicted With Appendicitis

Rafael Nadal has secured his place in the second round of the 2014 Swiss Indoors Basel. The world no. 3 scored a straight sets victory, 6-2, 6-2 over Simone Bolelli of Italy, despite ongoing appendicitis, on Oct. 21.

Nadal enters the Basel tournament as the second seed. Even though he has been afflicted with appendicitis that cost him an early exit at the Shanghai Rolex Masters, Nadal conquered the match against Bolelli. Nadal won 81 percent of his service points and scored four of seven breakpoint opportunities in one hour and 11 minutes.

Speaking after the match, Nadal told the reporters that he had "doubts" that he would be able to play well in Basel so he was impressed with his first round victory. "I'm very happy for what happened," Nadal said. After being on antibiotic treatment, Nadal feared that his body would have adverse reactions to the medication so he was a little apprehensive to play.

He admitted that the current season has not been "great" for him after suffering from wrist injury and appendicitis. "This was a dangerous match for me and I won it." He was just happy to have made it into the second round.

Nadal will compete against French qualifier Pierre-Hugues Herbert in the second round. Herbert defeated fellow compatriot Edouard Roger-Vasselin, 6-3, 6-7 (5), 7-6 (3). It will be the first meeting of both athletes.

Nadal has only competed in Basel twice in the past. He played at Switzerland's leading sport event in 2003 and 2004. He lost to Feliciano Lopez, 6-3, 3-6, 6-7(4), in Round of 32 in 2013. He also lost in the same round against Rainer Schuettler, 3-6, 4-6, in 2004.

In other news, David Goffin of Belgium also advanced in the second round after beating Dominic Thiem of Austria, 7-6 (4), 6-3. Goffin will play against the winner of the match between Ivan Dodig of Croatia and wild card Marco Chiudinelli of Switzerland.

American Donald Young defeated Argentine Carlos Berlocq, 7-6 (5), 6-4. Young will play either Milos Raonic or Steve Johnson. The winner of tournament will earn 500 event points.