No. 7 seed Rafael Nadal has recorded a straight-sets victory over Sergiy Stakhovsky to book his place in the third round of the Rogers Cup in Montreal. Our champ hit 19 winners as he defeated the Ukranian player 7-6(4), 6-3.
After the match, Rafa said:
“I won in Hamburg a couple weeks ago and this was an important victory here. Six consecutive (match) victories, that didn’t happen very often during the season. That’s a positive moment for me. Let’s try to continue with that.” (via AP)
Rafa will next face Mikhail Youzhny, who knocked out ninth seed Gilles Simon 6-1 6-4 earlier today.
Rafael Nadal, of Spain, serves to Sergiy Stakhovsky, of Ukraine, during the Rogers Cup men’s tennis tournament, Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2015, in Montreal. (Paul Chiasson/The Canadian Press via AP) MANDATORY CREDIT
MONTREAL, ON – AUGUST 12: Rafael Nadal of Spain hits a return against Sergiy Stakhovsky of Ukraine during day three of the Rogers Cup at Uniprix Stadium on August 12, 2015 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Rafael Nadal defeated Sergiy Stakhovsky 7-6, 6-3. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)
Rafael Nadal, of Spain, returns to Sergiy Stakhovsky, of Ukraine, during the Rogers Cup men’s tennis tournament, Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2015, in Montreal. (Paul Chiasson/The Canadian Press via AP) MANDATORY CREDIT
Rafael Nadal, of Spain, returns to Sergiy Stakhovsky, of Ukraine, during the Rogers Cup men’s tennis tournament, Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2015, in Montreal. (Paul Chiasson/The Canadian Press via AP) MANDATORY CREDIT
MONTREAL, ON – AUGUST 12: Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates his victory against Sergiy Stakhovsky of Ukraine during day three of the Rogers Cup at Uniprix Stadium on August 12, 2015 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Rafael Nadal defeated Sergiy Stakhovsky 7-6, 6-3. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)
MONTREAL, ON – AUGUST 12: Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates a point against Sergiy Stakhovsky of Ukraine during day three of the Rogers Cup at Uniprix Stadium on August 12, 2015 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Rafael Nadal defeated Sergiy Stakhovsky 7-6, 6-3. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)
Rafael Nadal, of Spain, salutes the crowd following his win over Sergiy Stakhovsky, of Ukraine, in the Rogers Cup men’s tennis tournament, Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2015, in Montreal. (Paul Chiasson/The Canadian Press via AP) MANDATORY CREDIT
Rafael Nadal, of Spain, celebrates his win over Sergiy Stakhovsky, of Ukraine, during the Rogers Cup men’s tennis tournament, Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2015, in Montreal. (Paul Chiasson/The Canadian Press via AP) MANDATORY CREDIT
All good so far. keep on doing well. Vamos
Felicidades Rafa, sigue con exito el resto del torneo tu eres un verdadero champion, Vamos Rafa a ganar,
A good win Rafa you were back to your old self on some of those shots, Well done …..Lovely to see Mary there too Good Luck against Youzney
VAMOS sweet Rafa! 💪😃 Congratulations on your fab. match, you played just great 😍🎾 All the very best of luck forward. ❤️U 😘😊
Bravo rafa, great game!!!
Loved the banana boomerang shots. Those curve ball shots are so much fun to watch.
Vamos Rafa! When Rafa got super aggressive to start the 2nd set he was just relentless.
Best wishes in the 3rd round!
Except for the 2 service breaks when he was serving for the 1st set and the match, Rafa did indeed look like his old self today. He was crowding the baseline, taking the ball on the rise, and ripping his ground-strokes just like he used to. He was driving the ball off both wings instead of rolling and slicing his shots. He got much better depth and penetration as a result. Can he keep this up?!? Let’s hope so. VAMOS!!!
Some brilliant shots Rafa, more like your old self ,,,,but please just play as you have all set when serving for it ,,,,,you know you can do it ,go for it ,,,,,and as Nike say ,,,,,,JUST. DO. IT ,
VAMOS RAFA,
Good start. Take rest and good luck for tomorrow. Vamos Rafa <3 <3 <3
Yessss! Vamos!
Vamos Rafa!