Crossword Genius

Each time essentially Austrian's combating Nadal, providing close set (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

radio

'set' is the definition.
(radio is a kind of set)

'each time essentially austrian's combating nadal providing close' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite see how this works, but
'time' could be 'ad' and 'ad' is found in the answer.
The remaining letters 'rio' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't understand.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

(Other definitions for radio that I've seen before include "Electronic receiver" , "send a message" , "Sound broadcasting" , "Broadcaster" , "Sound receiver" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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