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)
It makes me so happy to see Rafa playing freely and so confident on the courts. Go Go Rafa!
Just got home and missed the entire match. HE WON🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉
Icing on the cake after all the negative criticisms of our guy RAFA.
WOW, I HAVE TO SEE A REPLAY.
DAMN, this is such great news to come home to, since I had no idea of scores as well. My thoughts were on him during the day.
RAFA, your true fans are always behind you.
Go RAFA GO.
RAFA fan forever.
Rafa won back to back matches against top 4 player in a tournament after french open 2011
Another headline that ruins my watching of the match post play.
Games lost in 2 matches
1 rafa 10
2 roger 13
3 novak 15
Playing so well on not his favourite surface
I wonder where the Anti-Rafa brigade are?
You hardly see them on here till Nadal loses a match. Rafa has beaten World Number 4 and 2 successively and convincingly too and you wont see them here.
Well done to Rafa and his coaching crew for making the necessary adjustments to his game. He has got his forehand back and he is playing with more confidence.
He is not back to his 2010 or 2011 form yet but he has reversed that downward spiral. Next is Ferrer and another test for Rafa’s current form.
Vamos Rafa
There was no any anti-rafa here. being critical of Rafa’s game is not the same as being anti-Rafa. W e wanted him to play like the way he played against Murray. just shut up and let’s celebrate Rafa’s victories.
There was some definite anti-Rafa on this site no matter how hidden it was behind so called “objectivity”. I’m not accusing you, but there are some who mysteriously only turn up on here after Rafa has lost a match. If people want to offer constructive criticism, that’s fine – but there has definitely been some suspect posters on here this past year.
And who are you to tell anyone to shut up???
A lot of folks come in here to gloat after Nadal loses a match so there is clearly some anti-Rafa elements on the site.
As for your suggestion that I shut up, I will not. You can try and shut it for me through your computer screen.
Vamos RAFA. Really privileged to watch such great match.
You just made my day. Congratulations and Wishing you in advance to beat Joker from the other side.
Great game Rafa. You played with such confidence. Shadows of your old self. You are still the greatest my dear boy. I prayed for you. God bless you. Vamos Rafael. Your Aussie Abuela.
BRAVO RAFA !!! VAMOS !!!!!!!!!!!!! c’est bon de te voir de retour ! ET VIVE ESPAGNA !!! VAMOS !!!!!!!!!
I m so angry with myself i didnt got to see the match
But congrats rafa for a big win
Back to back win against top 4 players in world in a 2 nd biggest tournament after granslams
I heard many comment in last 1 2 months that rafa cannot win against big 4 in future without changing coach( it doesnt mean rafa should still not change coach)
Rafa needs time everthing will come in place for him
Vamos rafa
Very confident and strong, our champ, Rafa! He was in control of both matches. It was suburb and intelligent tennis! Again the message to our champ will be, believe in yourself and stay positive!
Very fine display if Rafa’s talent, when Rafa can perform at his level he can not be beat,,
He is back. I knew he would be!
Wonderful display and so happy to see Rafael confident and strong mentally. I really enjoyed watching him. Sky commentators and analysts got it wrong. All talk about Madrid when Andy beat our champion. Rafael was still on the early stage of return after injury and an operation,
So proud to support this man
VAMOS DEAR RAFA !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) & : ) Congratulations on your powerful brilliant victory!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) Fantastic match!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You have the most BEAUTIFUL BRIGHT TENNIS !!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) Every point was a delightful feast for us Tennis fans ….MUCHAS GRACIAS SENIOR !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) UNBELIEVABLY SATISFYING to watch you gliding & sliding & reaching & returnning & serving & on & on & on…….what a fantastic display!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YOU ARE SUCH A MAGNIFICENT CHAMPION !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! THE GOAT !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! THE BEST !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So exciting to watch your matches & Replays over & over again!!!!!!!! Congratulations sweetheart !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) & Congratulations to your MAGNIFICENT LOYAL TEAM !!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) VAMOS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! & KUDOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You have that SPECTACULAR , FIERCE COMPETITIVE PASSION & YOUR FORCEFUL STRONG EDGE IS UNBELIEVABLE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) God bless you & your entire beloved group!!!!!!!! Have lots & lots of fun celebrating your powerful victories & enjoy EVERYTHING !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) Lots of love & happiness !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : )
great win. This is the the way it should be. my boy is back (for now). vamos. I want him to beat Djokovic.
Well, that was fun to watch! Aggressive and confident. I had that glorious feeling once again (like the halcyon days) watching Rafa that he was in control and would not falter. Keep it going, Rafa!
Congratulations on a fantastic win. We see you at last, Rafael. Playing with confidence and pride. We have indeed missed you. Keep on rolling-the rhythm
is back!
Vamos Rafa eres ya el de antes felicidades jugaste como un verdadero champion
Rafa on song! Glorious!