Rafael Nadal closed in on a place in the semi-finals at the ATP World Tour Finals with victory over home favorite Andy Murray. Our champ won 6-4, 6-1 and could qualify for the last four on Friday depending on the result of the late match between Stan Wawrinka and David Ferrer.
After the match, Rafa said:
I think I played well in general. The tactic against Murray is to play very well. He has all the shots so the only way to try to damage him is to play with high intensity and be aggressive.
I didn’t think I made that many mistakes. I’m very happy. I’m working hard to play matches like this. (via BBC)
LONDON, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 18: Rafael Nadal of Spain walks out ahead of his men’s singles match against Andy Murray of Great Britain during day four of the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals at the O2 Arena on November 18, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
Rafael Nadal of Spain walks out ahead of his men’s singles match against Andy Murray of Great Britain during day four of the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals at the O2 Arena on November 18, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
Rafael Nadal of Spain walks out ahead of his men’s singles match against Andy Murray of Great Britain during day four of the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals at the O2 Arena on November 18, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
Rafael Nadal of Spain walks out ahead of his men’s singles match against Andy Murray of Great Britain during day four of the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals at the O2 Arena on November 18, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 18: Rafael Nadal of Spain plays a backhand in his men’s singles match against Andy Murray of Great Britain during day four of the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals at the O2 Arena on November 18, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
Tennis – Barclays ATP World Tour Finals – O2 Arena, London – 18/11/15 Men’s Singles – Rafael Nadal of Spain reacts during his match against Andy Murray of Great Britain Action Images via Reuters / Tony O’Brien Livepic EDITORIAL USE ONLY.
Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates winning a point against Andy Murray of Britain during their singles tennis match at the ATP World Tour Finals at the O2 Arena in London, Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2015. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
Tennis – Barclays ATP World Tour Finals – O2 Arena, London – 18/11/15 Men’s Singles – Rafael Nadal of Spain in action against Andy Murray of Great Britain Action Images via Reuters / Tony O’Brien Livepic EDITORIAL USE ONLY.
LONDON, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 18: Rafael Nadal of Spain reaches for a backhand in his men’s singles match against Andy Murray of Great Britain during day four of the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals at the O2 Arena on November 18, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 18: Rafael Nadal of Spain plays a backhand in his men’s singles match against Andy Murray of Great Britain during day four of the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals at the O2 Arena on November 18, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 18: Rafael Nadal of Spain plays a forhand in his men’s singles match against Andy Murray of Great Britain during day four of the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals at the O2 Arena on November 18, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 18: Rafael Nadal of Spain plays a backhand in his men’s singles match against Andy Murray of Great Britain during day four of the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals at the O2 Arena on November 18, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 18: Rafael Nadal of Spain plays a backhand in his men’s singles match against Andy Murray of Great Britain during day four of the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals at the O2 Arena on November 18, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 18: Rafael Nadal of Spain plays a backhand in his men’s singles match against Andy Murray of Great Britain during day four of the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals at the O2 Arena on November 18, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates a point in his men’s singles match against Andy Murray of Great Britain during day four of the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals at the O2 Arena on November 18, 2015 in London, England. (Nov. 17, 2015 – Source: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images Europe)
LONDON, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 18: Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates victory in his men’s singles match against Andy Murray of Great Britain during day four of the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals at the O2 Arena on November 18, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
Rafael Nadal of Spain (L) shakes hands with Andy Murray of Great Britain (R) after his victory in their men’s singles match during day four of the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals at the O2 Arena on November 18, 2015 in London, England. (Nov. 17, 2015 – Source: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images Europe)
LONDON, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 18: Rafael Nadal of Spain (L) shakes hands with Andy Murray of Great Britain (R) after his victory in their men’s singles match during day four of the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals at the O2 Arena on November 18, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 18: Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates victory in his men’s singles match against Andy Murray of Great Britain during day four of the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals at the O2 Arena on November 18, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 18: Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates victory in his men’s singles match against Andy Murray of Great Britain during day four of the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals at the O2 Arena on November 18, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 18: Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates victory in his men’s singles match against Andy Murray of Great Britain during day four of the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals at the O2 Arena on November 18, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 18: Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates victory in his men’s singles match against Andy Murray of Great Britain during day four of the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals at the O2 Arena on November 18, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 18: Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates victory in his men’s singles match against Andy Murray of Great Britain during day four of the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals at the O2 Arena on November 18, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 18: Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates victory in his men’s singles match against Andy Murray of Great Britain during day four of the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals at the O2 Arena on November 18, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates at match point after defeating Andy Murray of Britain during their singles tennis match at the ATP World Tour Finals at the O2 Arena in London, Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2015. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
LONDON, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 18: Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates victory in his men’s singles match against Andy Murray of Great Britain during day four of the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals at the O2 Arena on November 18, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
Enhorabuena Rafa frente a Andy Murray. Soy inglesa pero mantengo los espanoles. Fiona en Paris.
Mi querido Rafa. Felicidades por el gran juego contra Andy. Lo mejor para la proxima ronda. Mi nieto tiene 6 anicos y cada vez que te voy a ver se sienta conmigo. Ojala algun dia podamos conocerte y ver unos de tus partidos. Mucha suerte para el proximo match. Puedo ser tu abuela de Mexico.
Rafa congratulations from Sydney, you are doing soooooooooooooooooo well and I love you, and pray for you to win the tournament,love,AlaineXXSydney
The King of clay court is back. I always knew he would be back! Varmos!!!!! Nadal, the boss is back! LOOOOOOOOOOOOOVE U NADAL!
Vamos Rafa! So proud of you! You played a great match! Take rest and good luck for the match against Ferrer <3 <3 <3
Dearest Rafa: Congratulations. All I can say is that I love you. Keep on keeping healthy, remain with a feeling of calmness, confidence, and a passion for tennis. Enjoy yourself on court. The best of everything, Buene Suerte / Good Luck for every match. God bless you. Love, Marylynn
PARABÉNS RAFA GRANDE VITORIA, SUA CONFIANÇA DE VOLTA, MARAVILHOSO, SEMPRE RAFA…”VAMOS RAFA”.
Great win! Please beat Federer and Djokovic Make my Year!!! Love you Rafa
I just watched RAFA sky pad analysis and he is so smart. He is told that he is leading in net play percentages just above Roger.
His response, maybe its because he is going to the net less. When he goes; its at the right time giving him a higher probability of making the net plays. HOW SMART IS THIS GUY.
He understands that fast serves may serve him well but he is also anticipating the return which he a game plan for. Stick to the gameplay.
Now, you see why ‘servebots’ aren’t as dominant as they should be???
Now you see why players hitting shots as hard as they can also aren’t as dominant??
We love you RAFA
RAFA fan forever.