Buda Mendes/Getty Images

via @NeilHarmanTimes

via @Babolat

ARTICLES:

• Nadal Sets Andujar Semi-final Date In Rio, Ferrer Overcomes Bellucci (via ATP)

… Nadal breezed by unseeded Portuguese Joao Sousa 6-1, 6-0 in 75 minutes. The Mallorca native served at 70 per cent for the match, overcoming a 0/40 service game midway through the first set and firing 24 winners to oust the World No. 48.

• ‘Federer more like an artist, Nadal a warrior’ (via thehindu.com)

When asked about Nadal and Federer, the two men who have marked the last decade in men’s tennis, Evert is quick to find words to describe them. For her, the Swiss stands for “beauty,” while Nadal is “a warrior, a soldier.” In fact, she thinks Nadal will beat the record 17 Grand Slam titles Federer has won so far… “If you have two good people you can have a good rivalry. Two people with good hearts, and I think that Roger and Rafa are good people,” she said.

• Rafael Nadal Is Up For Laureus Comeback Award Against Tiger Woods (via 10sballs.com)

… Rafael Nadal is in contention for the Laureus World Comeback of the Year Award. Nadal is a nominee along with the Oracle Team USA, winner of the America’s Cup, Brazilian soccer player Ronaldinho, golfer Tiger Woods and baseball’s Boston Red Sox.

• Kuerten Honoured In Rio De Janeiro (via ATP)

… Kuerten, who retired from professional tennis in 2008, was moved by the presentation. “I have just thought about exchanging a few rallies with Nadal, but I was very emotional and forgot to ask him,” said Kuerten. “It is amazing to be honoured in my country. Thank you, Rafa, for making this moment even more special.” Nadal said, “Guga is one of the best players I have seen on clay. If we had played a match, it would have been really interesting.”

• El sueño de Doña Mafalda (via tennistopic.com)

… De Caixas do Sul a Rio de Janeiro, 1.426 kilómetros en avión. Con 88 años. Animada por su nieta: “Pensé que sería la única forma de encontrar a Nadal y despertar su atención. Era el sueño de su vida tener una foto con él y charlar un momento con su ídolo”. Y lo consiguió: una foto, un saludo… ¡y un beso!

VIDEOS:

• Rafa defeats Joao Sousa to reach semifinals in Rio – full match, hotshot, on-court interview, highlights
• Rafa defeats Albert Montanes – Full match, hotshot, highlights + Guga Kuerten honored

PHOTOS:

• Rafael Nadal defeats Joao Sousa to reach semifinals at Rio Open
• Rafa’s girlfriend Maria supports her man in R2 win in Rio

REMINDER: What time does Rafa play against Pablo Andujar tonight, and where can you watch? Find out here! // ¿A qué hora juega Rafa? ¿Dónde puedo seguir el partido? Descúbrelo aquí.