Top seed Rafael Nadal routed Andreas Seppi 6-1, 6-2 on Saturday to move within one victory of a second title at the Hamburg Open. Rafa, who is chasing a record 47th clay title, broke Seppi’s seven times to seal victory in an hour and 18 minutes.
After two games in the second set, our champ called for a medical time-out and, as you can see below, the doctor was attempting to unlock a rib that was causing Rafa some problems with breathing.
In the final on Sunday, our champ will meet another Italian, Fabio Fognini, who beat French qualifier Lucas Pouille 6-2, 7-6(2). VAMOS RAFA!
Spain’s Rafael Nadal returns a shot during the semifinal match against Andreas Seppi of Italy at the ATP tennis tournament in Hamburg, Germany, Saturday Aug. 1, 2015. (Daniel Reinhardt/dpa via AP)
Spain’s Rafael Nadal returns a shot during the semifinal match against Andreas Seppi of Italy at the ATP tennis tournament in Hamburg, Germany, Saturday Aug. 1, 2015. (Daniel Reinhardt/dpa via AP)
Spain’s Rafael Nadal returns a shot during the semifinal match against Andreas Seppi of Italy at the ATP tennis tournament in Hamburg, Germany, Saturday Aug. 1, 2015. (Daniel Reinhardt/dpa via AP)
Rafael Nadal in action during the semi-final match against Andreas Seppi of Italy at the ATP Tennis Tournament in Hamburg, Germany, 1 August 2015. (Tenis, Alemania, Italia, Hamburgo) EFE/EPA/Daniel Reinhardt
Rafael Nadal in action during the semi-final match against Andreas Seppi of Italy at the ATP Tennis Tournament in Hamburg, Germany, 1 August 2015. (Tenis, Alemania, Italia, Hamburgo) EFE/EPA/Daniel Reinhardt
Rafael Nadal in action during the semi-final match against Andreas Seppi of Italy at the ATP Tennis Tournament in Hamburg, Germany, 1 August 2015. (Tenis, Alemania, Italia, Hamburgo) EFE/EPA/Daniel Reinhardt
Toni Nadal, uncle and coach of Spain’s Rafael Nadal during the semi-final match against Andreas Seppi of Italy at the ATP Tennis Tournament in Hamburg, Germany, 1 August 2015. (Tenis, Alemania, Italia, Hamburgo) EFE/EPA/Daniel Reinhardt
Toni Nadal , second row at right, uncle and coach of Spain’s Rafael Nadal watches the semifinal match between Rafael Nadal of Spain and Andreas Seppi of Italy at the ATP tennis tournament in Hamburg, Germany, Saturday Aug. 1, 2015. (Daniel Reinhardt/dpa via AP)
Toni Nadal , uncle and coach of Spain’s Rafael Nadal watches the semifinal match between Rafael Nadal of Spain and Andreas Seppi of Italy at the ATP tennis tournament in Hamburg, Germany, Saturday Aug. 1, 2015. (Daniel Reinhardt/dpa via AP)
Rafael Nadal takes a break during the semi-final match against Andreas Seppi of Italy at the ATP Tennis Tournament in Hamburg, Germany, 1 August 2015. (Tenis, Alemania, Italia, Hamburgo) EFE/EPA/Daniel Reinhardt (Tenis, Alemania, Italia, Hamburgo) EFE/EPA/Daniel Reinhardt
Rafael Nadal celebrates his win in the semi-final match against Andreas Seppi of Italy at the ATP Tennis Tournament in Hamburg, Germany, 1 August 2015. (Tenis, Alemania, Italia, Hamburgo) EFE/EPA/Daniel Reinhardt
Spain’s Rafael Nadal celebrates his win in the semifinal match against Andreas Seppi of Italy at the ATP tennis tournament in Hamburg, Germany, Saturday Aug. 1, 2015. (Daniel Reinhardt/dpa via AP)
Rafael Nadal celebrates his win in the semi-final match against Andreas Seppi of Italy at the ATP Tennis Tournament in Hamburg, Germany, 1 August 2015. (Tenis, Alemania, Italia, Hamburgo) EFE/EPA/Daniel Reinhardt
Photo: Tennis Championships am Rothenbaum
Photo: Tennis Championships am Rothenbaum
Photo: Tennis Championships am Rothenbaum
Rafa por dios no nos des esos sustos , espero que te encuentres bien ,todos te dicen que mañana puedas jugar bien para poder ganar , yo pienso que tu salud es lo mas importante cuidate
Good luck tomorrow Rafa ,hope your feeling good and okay like you did today ,awesome ,vamos Rafa ,go get this trophy
Rafa brought his A game today. Finally. It’s about time. Hope it continues through the US Open, which will be his last chance to extend his all-time record(men) of winning at least one slam per calendar year for 10 straight years. NYC would be 11 straight, 2 shy of Chris Evert’s all-time record(women) of 13 straight years. He can catch and pass her if – and only if – he’s willing to do whatever it takes, including hiring a REAL coach, and saying “adios” to Uncle Toni, who has been talking about retiring soon anyways. VAMOS!!!
Good luck and good health to you, Rafa! We know you always give 100%. Vamos!!!!🐯🎾
VAMOS Rafa: So proud of you today. I am concerned about your medical problem, I do so hope it is better at 100% by tomorrow and permanently resolved. As I said in another post I wish you the best of luck and everything for tomorrow in the final. Don’t lose the baseline, play in the moment with intensity and keep growing in confidence – Believe in yourself, no self-doubt. Love you and God bless you. Marylynn
VAMOS DEAR RAFA!!!!! : ) : ) Congratulations on your decisive win !!!!!! : ) : ) : ) VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) and VAMOS for taking care of the brief pain, and overcoming the tough challenge…. breathing deeply, knowing all is well and going back to each point moving forward with your strong game !!!!!!! : ) : ) Challenges & tough moments come and go so Congratulations for going pass it with your strong breath , knowing all is well, & re focus on the next point!!!!!!! : ) It will come handy ANY time you may come up with brief challenges….. knowing the pain or challenge will pass….. VAMOS!!!! : )
Congratulations on your solid win……your placement of your serve was magnificent!!!!!! : ) You took time to place it strongly and it was great….. You had many beautiful FH winners & many fast, strong BH winners & it was exciting to watch…..Congratulations on your great match !!!!!!!!! : ) Your strong command on the court and speedy movement are amazing!!!!!!!!!!! : ) Have fun playing tomorrow & enjoy everything!!!!! Have a great time gliding forward with your beautiful strong game & your determination & passion enjoying each point!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) You are good during challenging tough moments & you have the knowing to take deep breath and allowing the focus back on the next point….Vamos and VAMOS : ) VAMOS : ) VAMOS : ) !!!!!! : ) It was exciting to watch you !!!! You have the best endurance in town & whatever sea food you love sure does magic for your light, fantastic best movement!!!!!!: ) Lots of congratulations for playing competitive strong level & playing your beautiful shots & 1st & 2nd serve!!!!!!!!!!! : ) Was that an ace on the 2nd serve today????????? : ) Have a fun evening & a great tomorrow sweetheart VAMOS & God bless you!!!! : )
Great match today. Hopefully you are fit and ok. All the best for tomorrow. Proud of you. Vamos Rafa <3 <3 <3
Can we view the Hamburg final live stream on line? If so, what time? Hope you are feeling better, Rafa and continue to do well. We are behind you!
I so hope You Are Ok Rafa ! I Don’t like to see you Hurt ? <3 & I Wish you Win .Good Luck <3 <3
VAMOS RAFA! DID NOT LIKE SEEING YOU IN PAIN, BUT HOPEFULLY THIS IS NOTHING SERIOUS.
Me too I hope he will be ol for Final???? Tomorrow Vamos
from a concerned fan: Good win but, Seppi really had no chance,, the final against Fognini will be a better test since Fabio got the best of Rafa the last two times, an I wonder if Rafa has been hiding something, this is the first time in a long time Rafa was really exerting himself an he had a rib or stomach problem, If he separated a rib last year or even up to two years ago it could be the reason that he’s been tenuous, I separated two lower ribs an it took forever for them to stitch back, everytime I exerted my self a certain way one or two of my ribs would pop out and I would gingerly push them back in place, I feel that there is a reason for Rafa’s subpar play an I’m concerned. any way, Good luck tomorrow, Vamos Rafa Love you Man,,
I hope you are ok and fit and well for tomorrow ,a great win today ,must serve the set out ,
Hope Rafa is fine. Hope he plays well tomorrow to beat Foggy and stops the bleeding. Rafa playing very well today but he couldn’t serve it out for the set and the match, that’s the concern imo. Has to stop doing that and not let his opponent come back in the match, esp against a player like Fog.
I