After two hours and 24 minutes, Rafael Nadal fell 5-7, 6-4, 7-6(3) to Feliciano Lopez on Thursday in third round action at the Western & Southern Open in Cincinnati. That was Feli’s fourth career win over Rafa, who still leads the series 9-4.
Match statistics: aces (5-14), double faults (4-4), winners (27-43), unforced errors (17-23), total points won (98-97).
Feliciano Lopez will face either Kevin Anderson or Roger Federer in the last eight.
After the match, Rafa said:
I played well today. I didn’t play a bad match at all. I think Feli played great. I was there during the whole match with the right intensity, with the right attitude, doing the things that I have to do, trying to be more aggressive, trying to go to the net more often. That’s what I did. But today I played against an opponent that he played a fantastic match, I think. He played the best match ever against me, without a doubt. I congratulate him. That’s it.
CINCINNATI, OH – AUGUST 20: A detail of Rafael Nadal of Spain’s shoes as he serves against Feliciano Lopez of Spain during Day 6 of the Western & Southern Open at the Lindner Family Tennis Center on August 20, 2015 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Rafael Nadal, of Spain, prepares to serve to Feliciano Lopez, of Spain, during a match at the Western & Southern Open tennis tournament, Thursday, Aug. 20, 2015, in Mason, Ohio. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)
CINCINNATI, OH – AUGUST 20: Rafael Nadal of Spain returns a shot to Feliciano Lopez of Spain on Day 6 of the Western & Southern Open at the Lindner Family Tennis Center on August 20, 2015 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Rafael Nadal, of Spain, returns to Feliciano Lopez, of Spain, during a match at the Western & Southern Open tennis tournament, Thursday, Aug. 20, 2015, in Mason, Ohio. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)
CINCINNATI, OH – AUGUST 20: Rafael Nadal of Spain looks on during his match against Feliciano Lopez of Spain on Day 6 of the Western & Southern Open at the Lindner Family Tennis Center on August 20, 2015 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Rafael Nadal, of Spain, returns to Feliciano Lopez, of Spain, during a match at the Western & Southern Open tennis tournament, Thursday, Aug. 20, 2015, in Mason, Ohio. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)
Rafael Nadal, of Spain, returns the ball to Feliciano Lopez, of Spain, at the Western & Southern Open tennis tournament, Thursday, Aug. 20, 2015, in Mason, Ohio. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)
CINCINNATI, OH – AUGUST 20: Rafael Nadal of Spain returns a shot to Feliciano Lopez of Spain during Day 6 of the Western & Southern Open at the Lindner Family Tennis Center on August 20, 2015 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
CINCINNATI, OH – AUGUST 20: Rafael Nadal of Spain returns a shot to Feliciano Lopez of Spain during their match on Day 6 of the Western & Southern Open at the Lindner Family Tennis Center on August 20, 2015 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Rafael Nadal, of Spain, serves to Feliciano Lopez, of Spain, during a match at the Western & Southern Open tennis tournament, Thursday, Aug. 20, 2015, in Mason, Ohio. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)
CINCINNATI, OH – AUGUST 20: Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates after winning the first set against Feliciano Lopez of Spain during Day 6 of the Western & Southern Open at the Lindner Family Tennis Center on August 20, 2015 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
CINCINNATI, OH – AUGUST 20: Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates after winning the first set against Feliciano Lopez of Spain during Day 6 of the Western & Southern Open at the Lindner Family Tennis Center on August 20, 2015 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Rafael Nadal, of Spain, returns to Feliciano Lopez, of Spain, during a match at the Western & Southern Open tennis tournament, Thursday, Aug. 20, 2015, in Mason, Ohio. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)
CINCINNATI, OH – AUGUST 20: Rafael Nadal of Spain reacts after losing his match against Feliciano Lopez of Spain during Day 6 of the Western & Southern Open at the Lindner Family Tennis Center on August 20, 2015 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
CINCINNATI, OH – AUGUST 20: Rafael Nadal of Spain congratulates Feliciano Lopez of Spain following their match on Day 6 of the Western & Southern Open at the Lindner Family Tennis Center on August 20, 2015 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
CINCINNATI, OH – AUGUST 20: Rafael Nadal of Spain congratulates Feliciano Lopez of Spain following their match on Day 6 of the Western & Southern Open at the Lindner Family Tennis Center on August 20, 2015 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Rafael Nadal, of Spain, waves to the crowd after losing 5-7, 6-4, 7-6 (3) to Feliciano Lopez, of Spain, at the Western & Southern Open tennis tournament, Thursday, Aug. 20, 2015, in Mason, Ohio. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)
Source: cincinnati.com
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Rafa has to get more power in shots, improve the depth of his shots and not run around every backhand, bring in some unpredictability.
Most importantly, he must be ready for the return on his second serve, because opponents are going to try to crush it.