(AP) Rafael Nadal beat a top-five player for the first time in more than a year by defeating Stan Wawrinka 6-2, 6-1 Friday to reach the semifinals of the Shanghai Masters.
Rafael Nadal of Spain serves to Stan Wawrinka of Switzerland during their men’s singles quarter-final match at the Shanghai Masters tennis tournament in Shanghai, China, October 16, 2015. REUTERS/Aly Song
Rafael Nadal of Spain changes his shirt during a break during his men’s singles quarter-final match against Stan Wawrinka of Switzerland at the Shanghai Masters tennis tournament in Shanghai, China, October 16, 2015. REUTERS/Aly Song
SHANGHAI, CHINA – OCTOBER 16: Rafael Nadal of Spain winning his men’s singles quarterfinals match against Stan Wawrinka of Switzerland on day 6 of Shanghai Rolex Masters at Qi Zhong Tennis Centre on October 16, 2015 in Shanghai, China (Photo by Lintao Zhang/Getty Images)
SHANGHAI, CHINA – OCTOBER 16: Rafael Nadal of Spain winning his men’s singles quarterfinals match against Stan Wawrinka of Switzerland on day 6 of Shanghai Rolex Masters at Qi Zhong Tennis Centre on October 16, 2015 in Shanghai, China (Photo by Lintao Zhang/Getty Images)
SHANGHAI, CHINA – OCTOBER 16: Rafael Nadal of Spain winning his men’s singles quarterfinals match against Stan Wawrinka of Switzerland on day 6 of Shanghai Rolex Masters at Qi Zhong Tennis Centre on October 16, 2015 in Shanghai, China (Photo by Lintao Zhang/Getty Images)
SHANGHAI, CHINA – OCTOBER 16: Rafael Nadal of Spain winning his men’s singles quarterfinals match against Stan Wawrinka of Switzerland on day 6 of Shanghai Rolex Masters at Qi Zhong Tennis Centre on October 16, 2015 in Shanghai, China (Photo by Lintao Zhang/Getty Images)
SHANGHAI, CHINA – OCTOBER 16: Rafael Nadal of Spain winning his men’s singles quarterfinals match against Stan Wawrinka of Switzerland on day 6 of Shanghai Rolex Masters at Qi Zhong Tennis Centre on October 16, 2015 in Shanghai, China (Photo by Lintao Zhang/Getty Images)
SHANGHAI, CHINA – OCTOBER 16: Rafael Nadal of Spain winning his men’s singles quarterfinals match against Stan Wawrinka of Switzerland on day 6 of Shanghai Rolex Masters at Qi Zhong Tennis Centre on October 16, 2015 in Shanghai, China (Photo by Lintao Zhang/Getty Images)
Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates after defeating Stan Wawrinka of Switzerland in the quarterfinal match of the Shanghai Masters tennis tournament in Shanghai, China, Friday, Oct. 16, 2015. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)
SHANGHAI, CHINA – OCTOBER 16: Rafael Nadal of Spain winning his men’s singles quarterfinals match against Stan Wawrinka of Switzerland on day 6 of Shanghai Rolex Masters at Qi Zhong Tennis Centre on October 16, 2015 in Shanghai, China (Photo by Lintao Zhang/Getty Images)
Rafael Nadal of Spain (L) and Stanislas Wawrinka of Switzerland shake hands after their men’s singles quarter-final match at the Shanghai Masters tennis tournament in Shanghai on October 16, 2015. AFP PHOTO / JOHANNES EISELE
The fourth-seeded Wawrinka missed wildly on his groundstrokes throughout the match, finishing with 34 unforced errors. He was coming off a tough three-set victory over Marin Cilic in the quarterfinals that finished close to midnight the night before.
Rafa hadn’t won against a top-five player since last year’s French Open final when he defeated No. 2 Novak Djokovic for his 14th Grand Slam title.
Rafa will play Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the semifinals on Saturday after the French player topped Kevin Anderson of South Africa 7-6 (6), 5-7, 6-4.
Source: AP
Congratulations Rafa: I am so very happy for you. I wish you the very best during semifinal against Tsonga. I wish you health, confidence, calm, intensity, smart tennis, good luck, and a fist pump and Vamos at the end of this match. God bless you Rafa. Love you always, Marylynn
Vamos Rafa!
Well done Champ on your fantastic win. You played incredible 🎾💪😃 VAMOS sweet Rafa. – So happy for you. Good luck for tomorrow, much success in your further career and all the best 🍀😊 Love❤️ from your 4ever fan 😘
Rafa, you’re playing great tennis again. Every match you’ve played has shown pronounced all-round improvement! As you can see, your fans have never given up on you, and NEVER will. We’re waiting to see you bite that trophy!!! VAMOS, RAFA!!!
Congrats dear Rafa! This win means a lot to you and also for your fans! I’am so happy for you! Vamos campeon!!! Enjoy each match! Always with you!
Wow! So happy for the win vs Stan Wawrinka. Best of luck from Wisconsin, USA.
IT MUST BE SO REWARDING FOR YOU,YOUR UNCLE TONY certianly all your fans,It is so much joy to see your positive attitude,and great great form again,it is awsome to see your good form RAFA……AWSOME AWSOME….VAMOS VAMOS GOD BLESS .
I don’t think Rafa is fading at all, that statement was very premature, he’s got lots of time to improve and I think he can do it Vamos Rafa!
Muyyy biennnnn Rafa congratulation 🇪🇸🇪🇸🇪🇸🇪🇸
OOOH LALA, my beloved Rafa is regaining form.
Way to go my BELOVED Rafa.
Vamos baby !!!!!!!!!!!
Wow congrats rafa ….vamos rafa vamos
U beaten a player who is just not 4 th ranked player but a player who beaten this year unbeateble player to win a grandslam and was in good form ( won japan open)
So just enjoy ur win today and continue on same line and playing ur shots beyond service box area
V always beleive in u rafa.. win or loose v r with u ….u r inspirational to us ….
What happens nxt match, win or loose everthing matters in further preparation ….
V know u play another level in grand slams
Next step is landing ur shots 1 feet near baseline , be a little angry,
Bringing that lethal down the line forehand
Back by setting it up
Where r peoples who said rafa cannot beat top 10 player
He is 1 st semifinalist beating back to back top 10 player…..
Rafa u r there but just take one note….dont overplay
Vamos rafa vamos
Terrific one mate! Looks like put them all like a poet! I have never ever seen a guy who is such a trier ! To write him off one can do at their own peril, right? In short it’s great for the game of tennis. And finally, u can once again watch someone breaking rackets. Got it? Yeah, absolutely!
So exciting! You look great! Stay healthy and calm!!! Very happy for you — I know it means a lot to you, your family friends and Fans!!!
Well done Rafa. YOU are back. I now have a very sore throat after two days of screaming at the TV.Finish the year on a high. Love you always.
Wow… so happy for rafa… did not watch the match but looks like it was a blow out… Vamos
well as I said before your on your way back not much further lovexxx
Great match! So happy for you. This win is so important for your confindence! You are on the way to your best again! All the best and good luck for tomorrow! Vamos Rafa <3 <3 <3
CONGRATULATIONS DEAR RAFA !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) Superb match & a fantastic SOLID VICTORY!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!! KUDOS to you & your loyal TEAM !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) It was such a bright WIN with fantastic Tennis ! Every point you played beautifully, forcefully & with great grace!!!! SO happy for your steadfast forward success !!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) Enjoy all your miraculous creativity moving forward and have a great time partying !!!!!!! : ) : ) VAMOS sweetheart & God bless you!!!!! have a great evening & enjoy EVERYTHING!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : )