Third seed Rafael Nadal reached his first Basel final after a tough 6-4, 7-6(7) victory over Richard Gasquet. In Sunday’s final our champ will play either local favorite Roger Federer or American Jack Sock.
Rafael Nadal of Spain returns the ball to France’s Richard Gasquet during their semi-final match at the Swiss Indoors ATP men’s tennis tournament in Basel, Switzerland October 31, 2015. REUTERS/Arnd Wiegmann
Rafael Nadal of Spain returns the ball to France’s Richard Gasquet during their semi-final match at the Swiss Indoors ATP men’s tennis tournament in Basel, Switzerland October 31, 2015. REUTERS/Arnd Wiegmann
Rafael Nadal of Spain returns the ball to France’s Richard Gasquet during their semi-final match at the Swiss Indoors ATP men’s tennis tournament in Basel, Switzerland, October 31, 2015. REUTERS/Arnd Wiegmann
Spain’s Rafael Nadal serves a ball to France’s Richard Gasquet during their semifinal match at the Swiss Indoors tennis tournament at the St. Jakobshalle in Basel, Switzerland, Saturday, Oct. 31, 2015. (Georgios Kefalas/Keystone via AP)
Rafael Nadal of Spain receives treatment during his semi-final match against France’s Richard Gasquet at the Swiss Indoors ATP men’s tennis tournament in Basel, Switzerland, October 31, 2015. REUTERS/Arnd Wiegmann
Spain’s Rafael Nadal returns to France’s Richard Gasquet during their semifinal match at the Swiss Indoors tennis tournament at the St. Jakobshalle in Basel, Switzerland, 31 October 2015. (Tenis, Suiza, Basilea) EFE/EPA/GEORGIOS KEFALAS
Rafael Nadal of Spain returns the ball to France’s Richard Gasquet during their semi-final match at the Swiss Indoors ATP men’s tennis tournament in Basel, Switzerland, October 31, 2015. REUTERS/Arnd Wiegmann
Spain’s Rafael Nadal returns a ball to France’s Richard Gasquet during their semifinal match at the Swiss Indoors tennis tournament at the St. Jakobshalle in Basel, Switzerland, Saturday, Oct. 31, 2015. (Dominic Steinmann/Keystone via AP)
Spain’s Rafael Nadal returns to France’s Richard Gasquet during their semi final match at the Swiss Indoors tennis tournament at the St. Jakobshalle in Basel, Switzerland, 31 October 2015. (Tenis, Suiza, Basilea) EFE/EPA/GEORGIOS KEFALAS
Rafael Nadal of Spain reacts during his semi-final match against France’e Richard Gasquet at the Swiss Indoors ATP men’s tennis tournament in Basel, Switzerland, October 31, 2015. REUTERS/Arnd Wiegmann
Spain’s Rafael Nadal reacts during his semifinal match against France’s Richard Gasquet at the Swiss Indoors tennis tournament at the St. Jakobshalle in Basel, Switzerland, Saturday, Oct. 31, 2015. (Georgios Kefalas/Keystone via AP)
Rafael Nadal of Spain reacts during his semi-final match against France’s Richard Gasquet at the Swiss Indoors ATP men’s tennis tournament in Basel, Switzerland, October 31, 2015. REUTERS/Arnd Wiegmann
Spain’s Rafael Nadal in action against France’s Richard Gasquet during their semi final match at the Swiss Indoors tennis tournament at the St. Jakobshalle in Basel, Switzerland, 31 October 2015. (Tenis, Suiza, Basilea) EFE/EPA/DOMINIC STEINMANN
Spain’s Rafael Nadal returns to France’s Richard Gasquet during their semifinal match at the Swiss Indoors tennis tournament at the St. Jakobshalle in Basel, Switzerland, 31 October 2015. (Tenis, Suiza, Basilea) EFE/EPA/GEORGIOS KEFALAS
Spain’s Rafael Nadal returns to France’s Richard Gasquet during their semifinal match at the Swiss Indoors tennis tournament at the St. Jakobshalle in Basel, Switzerland, 31 October 2015. (Tenis, Suiza, Basilea) EFE/EPA/GEORGIOS KEFALAS
BASEL, SWITZERLAND – OCTOBER 31: Rafael Nadal of Spain knee after he has received treatment during the sixth day of the Swiss Indoors ATP 500 tennis tournament against Richard Gasquet of France at St Jakobshalle on October 31, 2015 in Basel, Switzerland. (Photo by Harold Cunningham/Getty Images)
Spain’s Rafael Nadal returns a ball to France’s Richard Gasquet during their semifinal match at the Swiss Indoors tennis tournament at the St. Jakobshalle in Basel, Switzerland, Saturday, Oct. 31, 2015. (Georgios Kefalas/Keystone via AP)
Spain’s Rafael Nadal returns a ball to France’s Richard Gasquet during their semifinal match at the Swiss Indoors tennis tournament at the St. Jakobshalle in Basel, Switzerland, Saturday, Oct. 31, 2015. (Georgios Kefalas/Keystone via AP)
Rafael Nadal of Spain is congratulated by France’s Richard Gasquet (L) after winning their semi-final at the Swiss Indoors ATP men’s tennis tournament in Basel, Switzerland, October 31, 2015. REUTERS/Arnd Wiegmann
BASEL, SWITZERLAND – OCTOBER 31: Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates his victory during the sixth day of the Swiss Indoors ATP 500 tennis tournament against Richard Gasquet of France at St Jakobshalle on October 31, 2015 in Basel, Switzerland. (Photo by Harold Cunningham/Getty Images)
Rafael Nadal of Spain reacts after winning his semi-final match against France’s Richard Gasquet at the Swiss Indoors ATP men’s tennis tournament in Basel, Switzerland October 31, 2015. REUTERS/Arnd Wiegmann
BASEL, SWITZERLAND – OCTOBER 31: Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates his victory during the sixth day of the Swiss Indoors ATP 500 tennis tournament against Richard Gasquet of France at St Jakobshalle on October 31, 2015 in Basel, Switzerland. (Photo by Harold Cunningham/Getty Images)
Spain’s Rafael Nadal cheers after winning his semifinal match against France’s Richard Gasquet at the Swiss Indoors tennis tournament at the St. Jakobshalle in Basel, Switzerland, Saturday, Oct. 31, 2015. (Georgios Kefalas/Keystone via AP)
Spain’s Rafael Nadal cheers after winning his semifinal match against France’s Richard Gasquet at the Swiss Indoors tennis tournament at the St. Jakobshalle in Basel, Switzerland, Saturday, Oct. 31, 2015. (Georgios Kefalas/Keystone via AP)
Spain’s Rafael Nadal reacts after winning the semifinal match against France’s Richard Gasquet at the Swiss Indoors tennis tournament at the St. Jakobshalle in Basel, Switzerland, 31 October 2015. (Tenis, Suiza, Basilea) EFE/EPA/DOMINIC STEINMANN
VAMOS !!!!!!!!! SUPER RAFA … enfin on retrouve les deux rois du tennis ….. YES ….
VAMOS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Bravo Rafa et Félicitation.Bonne chance pour la finale demain contre Fédérer tu as été meilleur joueur de tennis au monde .Tu vas redevenir encore le champion du monde
WOW….you played magnificently !!!!!! VAMOS DEAR RAFA !!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) It is your every point & every move & each challenge you ride over that is SO IGNITING & BEAUTIFUL !!!!!! You are such a delight Rafa ….. & so are your joyful matches!!!!!!!!! Have a great time celebrating & appreciating your strength & passion & determination!!!!!!! SO MUCH FUN…….Muchas Muchas Gracias…..!!!!!!! : ) : ) Enjoy…… & have lots & lots of fun playing your next match!!!!!! : ) : ) it will be a GREAT SOLID match for YOU !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) ….. ci…ci…ci…ci….&… CI…. CI….. : ) : ) : ) Have a lovely time enjoying & smiling & celebrating your powerful stride & fantastic Tennis with Uncle Toni & the rest of your loyal GREAT TEAM!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) YOU are exceptional with your bright Tennis & you have an exceptional TEAM !!!!!!!!! : ) : ) VAMOS !!!!!!!: ) : ) : ) VAMOS !!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) VAMOS !!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) ENJOY EVERYTHING !!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) & God bless you !!!!!!
Have a very nice fun evening & a great day tomorrow!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) very very happy for you dear Rafa !!!!!!! We will be watching LIVE along with your many millions of fans enjoying your magical gliding & feisty striking game!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) KUDOS & keep smiling ! : ) Lots of love & happiness!!!!! : ) : ) : ) VAMOS………….VAMOS…………VAMOS……………!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : )
Congrats Rafa. So happy for you. Good luck for the final <3 <3 <3
Congratulations Rafa!! What great play, Richard was playing good tennis. I hope you are 100% tomorrow during the final. Remain calm and confident tomorrow as you have been all week. Y ou have truly earned your place in tomorrow’s final. Good luck, good health and stay positive. God bless you. Love, Marylynn.
wow…. what a high level match it was so much exciting to see u play at such a level…. no mistakes gasquet has a best 2015 year in recent years and was playing at a a high level
i note on thing here lastt few months when u were losing… most of the opponents started to have no fear factor of “nadal the player” they are playing on opposite side which they have from many years when they face u. From last three matches it is very visible that u once against created that “nadal fear factor” in opponents mind. The factor that of never say die attitude and there is always a chance of u winning.
Today u hit some amazing lobs annd forehands down the line and cross court forehands, u have shown ur amazing mental strength last few matches which u have known for. u r defence was so great to watch rafa.
we know fro last 2 3 tournaments u were able to win matches even when u r most furious weapon in the game the down the line forehand have let u down, but because of ur overall great game u were able to create that chances to win over opponent.
tomorrow what happens again no matter just play ur way on the same line… what ever happens it will help ur further preparations
just try to hit the balls out side of service box area consistently
v know the next step is to bring back that lethal weapon in the game “ur down the line forehand”
but i am sure u will definitely work on it
just one complaint it was so worrying to see when touched ur leg and then have some medical treatment on it and got that white bandage on ur leg
rafa i repeating u dont have to overplay urself please take care of urself. u should skip this
basel tournament since the low bounce here takes a lot pressure on ur legs and knees. u have to be smart to be selective in choosing tournaments. v dont want to see a unhealthy rafa. Please rafa if u r even feeling 1 percent not well, skip the paris masters and take rest
u r on ur way back rafa just take very best care of u
u produce such an amazing tennis, sometimes i am amazed how can people say bad word about u
best luck for the finals rafa
take care vamos rafa vamos
This is just an awful surface for Rafa and for tennis. The ball hardly rises. Its more like squash. The fact that he is digging himself out from tough situations this week is just so heartening to see. His fight is back. He is also making a real effort to step in on returns. He is so good at it also. Really cant understand why he does not stand closer to the baseline consistantly on second serve returns. But he is trying hard to do what does not come naturally to him since he is such a great defender. It should be a nice contest with Roger tomorrow (Roger should win against Sock). If he continues at this rate in Paris and London, I am sure he will be in the top 3 where he belongs when AO rolls in. Really happy for him and his team. If he beats Roger here tomorrow, it will be HUGE for him. VAMOS!!
First one that I watched. So happh for Rafa. I hope he wins this trophy.
Another typo. What!?
Much luck for tomorrow’s final, Rafa!!! We’re all rooting for you, including my five-year old granddaughter! VAMOS RAFA!!!
Vamos Rafa! Congratulations! Big match Big Win Big Effort, Nice to see Rafa through to another HC final! Whatever tomorrow’s outcome, we are so proud of you. Please take a rest and enjoy your match tomorrow
So happy for Rafael and his team, Scary moments when he injured his knee. Great that he won in 2 sets to give him time to get treatment and rest. Now to watch Australia V New Zealand in WCR
Rafa is a great returner he’s always ready but he’s still a bit off with his forehand down the line, he missed some today and yesterday. But Rafa improved a lot and all the three setters helped him with his game and confidence. He’s really working well in the baseline with volleys and returning serves in the baseline these are Rafa strengths but he was playing all year too far behind the baseline
Vamos Rafa your are the best. Congratulations. And good luck to win tomorrow
Fantastic victory to add more confidence-how good did that feel💪
VAMOS! Great win today!
If I was in Rafa’s camp I would focus on his serve during the winter. Make it reliable and increase the speed. If he manages to hold serve more easily I have no doubt that he will be a big contender for the slams again. In the return games, he creates more than enough opportunities.
Vamos Rafa! Congratulations.. Such a fantastic match! Good luck in the final tomorrow!