(AFP) Rafael Nadal advanced to the semifinals of the China Open by beating American Jack Sock 3-6, 6-4, 6-3 on Friday.
“Yes, it was an important victory for me. Obviously I finished the match playing better than what I started. It’s important because I came back,”Rafa said.
“This year I lost a lot of matches when I had an advantage. So to have the chance to win a match when I start losing this one, so it’s important for me, too.”
Rafa, into his first hardcourt semi-final for more than a year, will now face Fognini, who has beaten him three times this season including in last month’s US Open third round.
“He’s a great player. When you play against a great player, especially if you don’t play to your best, your chances are lower,” Rafa said of the Italian, who beat Uruguay’s Pablo Cuevas 6-1, 2-6, 6-2.
“If I am able to play my best tomorrow… I am going to have my chances. If not, it’s going to be tough. It’s simple. Sport is simple.”
BEIJING, CHINA – OCTOBER 09: Rafael Nadal of Spain looks on in his match against Jack Sock of the USA on day 7 of the 2015 China Open at the National Tennis Centre on October 9, 2015 in Beijing, China. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
BEIJING, CHINA – OCTOBER 09: Rafael Nadal of Spain plays a forehand in his match against Jack Sock of the USA on day 7 of the 2015 China Open at the National Tennis Centre on October 9, 2015 in Beijing, China. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
BEIJING, CHINA – OCTOBER 09: Rafael Nadal of Spain plays a forehand in his match against Jack Sock of the USA on day 7 of the 2015 China Open at the National Tennis Centre on October 9, 2015 in Beijing, China. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
BEIJING, CHINA – OCTOBER 09: Rafael Nadal of Spain plays a forehand in his match against Jack Sock of the USA on day 7 of the 2015 China Open at the National Tennis Centre on October 9, 2015 in Beijing, China. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
BEIJING, CHINA – OCTOBER 09: Rafael Nadal of Spain plays a forehand in his match against Jack Sock of the USA on day 7 of the 2015 China Open at the National Tennis Centre on October 9, 2015 in Beijing, China. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
BEIJING, CHINA – OCTOBER 09: Rafael Nadal of Spain plays a backhand in his match against Jack Sock of the USA on day 7 of the 2015 China Open at the National Tennis Centre on October 9, 2015 in Beijing, China. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
BEIJING, CHINA – OCTOBER 09: Rafael Nadal of Spain plays a backhand in his match against Jack Sock of the USA on day 7 of the 2015 China Open at the National Tennis Centre on October 9, 2015 in Beijing, China. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
BEIJING, CHINA – OCTOBER 09: Rafael Nadal of Spain plays a forehand in his match against Jack Sock of the USA on day 7 of the 2015 China Open at the National Tennis Centre on October 9, 2015 in Beijing, China. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
BEIJING, CHINA – OCTOBER 09: Rafael Nadal of Spain plays a forehand in his match against Jack Sock of the USA on day 7 of the 2015 China Open at the National Tennis Centre on October 9, 2015 in Beijing, China. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
BEIJING, CHINA – OCTOBER 09: Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates winning his match against Jack Sock of the USA on day 7 of the 2015 China Open at the National Tennis Centre on October 9, 2015 in Beijing, China. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
BEIJING, CHINA – OCTOBER 09: Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates winning his match against Jack Sock of the USA on day 7 of the 2015 China Open at the National Tennis Centre on October 9, 2015 in Beijing, China. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
Rafa Nadal of Spain reacts after beating Jack Sock of U.S. during their men’s singles match at the China Open tennis tournament in Beijing, China, October 9, 2015. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon
Rafa Nadal of Spain reacts after beating Jack Sock of U.S. during their men’s singles match at the China Open tennis tournament in Beijing, China, October 9, 2015. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon
Rafa Nadal of Spain reacts after beating Jack Sock of U.S. during their men’s singles match at the China Open tennis tournament in Beijing, China, October 9, 2015. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon
BEIJING, CHINA – OCTOBER 09: Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates winning his match against Jack Sock of the USA on day 7 of the 2015 China Open at the National Tennis Centre on October 9, 2015 in Beijing, China. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
Source: Agence France-Presse
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Vamos Rafa! Could not watch the match in real time but have it recorded so looking forward to that. Good luck for the semifinals!
Missed the game :(. Really happy for the win and also get a chance for revenge. Please smack Fabio and get it done this time. Please stay aggressive and dont go into the defensive mode and hope Fabio misses. Good luck Rafa. Vamos!!
Great job RAFA!!!!!!!!
Forever fan
Keep it match by match
Good match rafa just continue pushing ur shots beyond service box area consitently…
No matter what happen tomorrow just continue this way
Enjoy the win and best luck
Ur such a pleasure to watch …..
I m from india but u give me pleasure more than what sachin tendulkar use to give while watching u play
Vamos rafa
Dear Rafa: I missed the match but was delighted to hear of your win. I wish all the very best for you in your semifinal match. Good health, Good luck, Good confidence, and God bless you. Love, Marylynn
Vavom Rafa eres increible, a seguir ganando te veo el mismo de siempre, I love your game
I’m a STUPID woman, just checked again on yesterday’s post and it said 6.30AM Doh!
Thought it was on in Spanish time 6.30 pm! Missed it, gutted!
Hi Janice Gray : You can watch a REPLAY of Nadal’s QFinal match on espn3 tennis…..
1. click on “home”
2.click on “Replay”
3.click on “last 7 days”
4.then you will be able to see “12:30 am China Open Men Quarter Finals”
(there are 2 Replays clicks…. …so look for Nadal ‘s)
Good job! I just got up, 8am in the states. Revenge time with the semi final!
I guess that would be played tomorrow.? Congratulations on your last win.
It appears the come back has started. Be proud and keep it going.
Very good match today. This was nice to watch. Take rest and all the best for tomorrow! Beat the italian-clown!! Vamos Rafa <3 <3 <3
WELL WELL DONE . DARLING BOY, KEEP GOING YOU SHOW THEM WHO IS THE BOSS LOVE YOU XX
Ok love it. Playing well digging deep to win. Go Rafa. So proud of you.
Your the best ever ,hope you carry on playing the same way in the semi finals vamos rafa.
SWEET VICTORY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) VAMOS DEAR RAFA!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : )
Fantastic match, Rafa!!! I missed the first set, but got home from work in time to see half of the second and the third and was astounded at Rafa’s level of play! Definitely one of his best, if not his best match this year! Lots of aggressive play inside the baseline, very exciting to see!
Simply fantastic, Lizzy!
All the lost components of Rafa’s game are coming back again!!
He needs to play a highly tactical and aggressive game tomorrow to beat Fabio and thus avenge the huge humiliating of the US Open. No better time than now!
I see Rafa prevailing in 2 sets: 6 – 3, 7 -5
Vamossss Rafaaaaaa!!!!!!!!!!!