Rafael Nadal flawless as Novak Djokovic braves brutal conditions at ATP Cup

An omius Rafael Nal was in cruise control for Spain at ATP Cup Monday but Serbia's vak Djokovic was forced to sweat through brutal conditions for his second win in a row. Spanish world number one swept past Uruguay's experienced Pablo Cuevas 6-2, 6-1 in just 73 minutes in Perth to ensure his country won ir second consecutive tie at inaugural 24-team event and moved closer to quarter-finals.

'I'm super happy'

He came on court after teammate and world number 10 Roberto Bautista Agut me short work of Franco Roncelli 6-1, 6-2. "A great match. I played better than or day. It was a very positive victory against an opponent for who I have a lot of respect," said 19-time Grand Slam winner Nal. "I'm super happy." 

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Djokovic was given a testing workout in his opening clash in Brisbane on Saturday by big-serving South African Kevin Anderson, who took him to two tiebreakers. He was back to his dominant best against France's Gael Monfils, but sapping heat and humidity me 6-3, 6-2 win harder than score suggested.

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"It was definitely one of most humid conditions that I have ever h in my career. Tonight was brutal," said world number two, who extended his record over Monfils to 16-0, dating back 15 years. "Obviously playing Gael, you kw you are going to have a lot of exchanges, a lot of rallies. He is a great fighter and a great friend of mine. Tough luck today." 

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