Cameron Norrie, Rafael Nadal and Dan Evans advance into the third round in Madrid Open
Spain's Nadal, 35, secured a 6-1 7-6 (7-4) victory in his first match since March following a rib injury.
Britain's Cameron Norrie and Dan Evans also won their second-round matches.
World number 11 Norrie beat American John Isner 6-4 6-7 (7-5) 6-4, while Evans won 6-3 5-7 7-6 (7-2) against Spain's Roberto Bautista Agut.
Five-time champion Nadal did not expect to play in Madrid after suffering a stress fracture of the rib in Indian Wells at the end of March.
But the 21-time Grand Slam champion announced last week he was going To play and looking good shape against world number 32 Kecmanovic.
Nadal eased through an opening set where he did not face a breakpoint and, after rain interrupted play, broke for a 3-2 lead in the second set.
Kecmanovic, who has enjoyed a career-best start to the season with 23 victories so far, instantly broke back for 3-3 and did the same when Nadal had taken his serve for a 6-5 lead.
To the home crowd’s delight, Nadal dominated the tie-break to set up a last-16 match against either Belgium's David Goffin or Botic van de Zandschulp of the Netherlands.
"When you put everything in consideration it was a great match," world number four Nadal, who goes for a record-extending 14th French Open title later this month, told Amazon Prime.
"I had some good moments, I made some mistakes but it is normal after so long without playing. I'm happy with the victory."
0 Comment