Rafael Nadal has booked a place in the semi-finals of the Qatar Open with a 6-3, 5-7, 6-4 victory over Andrey Kuznetsov in Doha.
Rafa lost his serve on all four break points he faced against the 79th-ranked Kuznetsov. Our champ broke his opponent’s serve five times in 10 attempts.
The Spaniard’s semifinal opponent will be Illya Marchenko, the Ukranian who defeated Jeremy Chardy, 6-3, 7-6(3).
Rafael Nadal of Spain serves to Andrey Kuznetsov of Russia during their Qatar Open men’s single tennis match in Doha, Qatar January 7, 2016. REUTERS/Ibraheem Al Omari
El tenista español Rafael Nadal devuelve la bola al ruso Andrey Kuznetsov durante su partido de cuartos de final del torneo de tenis de Doha en el Khalifa Tennis Complex, Catar, hoy 7 de enero 2016. EFE
El tenista español Rafael Nadal durante su partido de cuartos de final del torneo de tenis de Doha contra el ruso Andrey Kuznetsov en el Khalifa Tennis Complex, Catar, hoy 7 de enero 2016. EFE
El tenista español Rafael Nadal durante su partido de cuartos de final del torneo de tenis de Doha contra el ruso Andrey Kuznetsov en el Khalifa Tennis Complex, Catar, hoy 7 de enero 2016. EFE
El tenista español Rafael Nadal devuelve la bola al ruso Andrey Kuznetsov durante su partido de cuartos de final del torneo de tenis de Doha en el Khalifa Tennis Complex, Catar, hoy 7 de enero 2016. EFE
El tenista español Rafael Nadal devuelve la bola al ruso Andrey Kuznetsov durante su partido de cuartos de final del torneo de tenis de Doha en el Khalifa Tennis Complex, Catar, hoy 7 de enero 2016. EFE
Rafael Nadal of Spain returns the ball to Andrey Kuznetsov of Russia during their Qatar Open men’s single tennis match in Doha, Qatar January 7, 2016. REUTERS/Ibraheem Al Omari
Rafael Nadal of Spain returns the ball to Andrey Kuznetsov of Russia during their Qatar Open men’s single tennis match in Doha, Qatar January 7, 2016. REUTERS/Ibraheem Al Omari
Rafael Nadal of Spain serves to Andrey Kuznetsov of Russia during their Qatar Open men’s single tennis match in Doha, Qatar January 7, 2016. REUTERS/Ibraheem Al Omari
Rafael Nadal of Spain serves to Andrey Kuznetsov of Russia during their Qatar Open men’s single tennis match in Doha, Qatar January 7, 2016. REUTERS/Ibraheem Al Omari
Rafael Nadal of Spain returns the ball to Andrey Kuznetsov of Russia during their Qatar Open men’s single tennis match in Doha, Qatar January 7, 2016. REUTERS/Ibraheem Al Omari
Rafael Nadal of Spain returns the ball to Andrey Kuznetsov of Russia during their Qatar Open men’s singles tennis match in Doha, Qatar January 7, 2016. REUTERS/Ibraheem Al Omari
Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates after winning his Qatar Open men’s singles tennis match against Andrey Kuznetsov of Russia in Doha, Qatar January 7, 2016. REUTERS/Ibraheem Al Omari
Was a tough match. Congrats Rafa!!!
Snore… Same old, same old from the same tiresome posters.
The are hypocritical fans — seriously? What the hell does that even mean? Or more to the point, I don’t think YOU actually know what that word means. These fans do not post their thoughts in the pretense of having beliefs about Rafa they don’t actually possess. In fact, quite the opposite. They are sincere in what they are writing.
Maybe next time you decide to lambast someone in your sanctimonious, smart-ass way, perhaps you should get your terms right. Otherwise, you run the risk of appearing foolish — Oh, wait, you always do that. My apologies.
Good luck rafa for next match
Just a little quick on ball should make out things more good and ur defence is the core part of ur game so getting balls beyond service box area even playing far from baseline should be main taeget
Overall perfect prepration before ao16
Vamos rafa vamos
Congratulations Rafal on winning today. Again I was unable to watch you play but I say a little prayer for you before each match; I always include good health for you also – always good health and good feeling on court. Please don’t lose your good confidence. You are as good (and better) than anyone you play against. Believe in yourself always. I pray you get the correct technical, strategic and personal advice that will benefit you and propel you to a winning strategy against any player. Good luck during your semifinal match. God bless you Rafa. Love, Marylynn
Once again your really playing well,I watch your match today,you seem to be on top form keep up the good work,your the best Glennis
In response to the ‘knowledgeable’ one. RAFA should get a proper and professional coach and team. The same coach and team that has been with him through all his many successes, INJURIES and poor results. Family like ours, who support us through the good and bad times. He is a family man, maybe you did not notice.
How many players changed their coach and team, without the results. Let’s see:
Roger Federer
Tomas Berdych
Andy Murray
and many more, I want to stick to the regulars in top 10 who should have won more slams.
Novaks’ success is mainly his, I do not believe Boris brought anything special. Viada did that.
So, if this is your theory, it has been done and tested already. FAIL.
Lubijic has now joined Roger, let’s see 2016.
RAFA FAN FOREVER
sorry I did miss the match. so many negative comments. lets go rafa. improve your game if you want to win. what happen to Federer.
Rafa did not play as well as previous matches here in Doha having too many mis hits but and I repeat but, he found a way to raise his game and win the match which is a step in the right direction for 2016 🐃
YEH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) A GREAT WIN !!!!!!!!!!! : ) VAMOS DEAR RAFA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) That was a brilliant victory!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) GREAT MATCH!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) Re grouping your strategy on the court is your genius strength!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) 🙂 🙂 : ) : ) Very nice!!!! : ) KNOWING you can bring a refreshed play and your strong presence right there, and turning the match favorably back ON is your strength…..very impressive…..and it is very nice to know you have what it takes to do that ……. VAMOS !!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) Very happy for you!!!!!!! : ) BEAUTIFUL how you turned your aggressive stride back ON and headed the 3rd winning SET !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That is your CHAMPION RESET GIFT !!!!!!!!!!!! ci….ci….ci…..ci…..ci…..& ci…… All along YOUR GAME WAS TOP & FEISTY , even when you had a few misses…….it was clear you had the stronger game!!!!!: ) : ) : ) You move so classy on the court Rafa & your fantastic shots are so very special!!!!! That was a strong, competitive match & the crowd was behind you , as all of us watching at home. Loved watching your focus and aim for your next solid IMPORTANT point by point play & pick up your win !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) VAMOS…………..VAMOS………….VAMOS……… ! : ) THANK YOU for your beautiful Tennis dear Rafa!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) Enjoy your amazing efforts, your win & have a nice pleasant evening with your loved ones. Vamos & lots of love & happiness !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) Playing next will be a great match for you !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) You have that brilliant measured calm focus, and the advantage of your POWERFUL ENDURANCE & TENNIS GENIUS FACTOR….. ENJOY IT ALL DEAR RAFA & have lots & lots of fun playing!!!! : ) : ) : ) !!!!!!!!! I love your great ability to send players side to side……. ! : ) Each time you walk onto the court, know we are all there with you, welcoming & cheering you on loudly from over sea…..: ) : ) : ) : ) Have a great time & enjoy each point !!! YOU ARE THE BETTER, STRONGER PLAYER with the UNPARALLELED ENDURANCE………….GO……GO……GO…… Have lots & lots of fun gliding your Beautiful magic on the court!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) !!!! : ) VAMOS……………..VAMOS……………..VAMOS………….! : )
Shame about set 2; but good to see the mental strength for a fight back. This is the thing that he needs and only real matches can restore it, one battle at a time.
Good luck to Rafa in his match tomorrow it will be a tough one but I’m sure Rafa can pull it out the bag .win or lose I would rather support Rafa than abad tempered Djokovic who has just smashed his racket on the net because he dropped a game what a baby .He is number one and the best player aroundat the moment but even that is not enough for him he will never be happy until he wins every set ,then every game and every point quite sad really ,games wise he has it all but the one thing he wants which he dosent have is the love of the fans that Rafa has
It’s exactly why Djoko has become a winner during the last couple of years and Rafa went in the wrong direction.
Phew close one but a great win ,
I think you can look at this match in two ways. Yes, Rafa should have won in two sets, but this was also the kind of match he was losing early last year. I prefer to be optimistic. Vamos Rafa!
BRAVO RAFA !!!!! VAMOSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS
Vamos vamos vamos Rafa!! As I was working I’ve had to record the match but can’t wait to watch it tonight! Congratulations!
Rafa well done, for another win.
All the best.🌷 for the semifinals. Play confidently.
Loveeeeeeeeeeeeeee you Rafa.💖.
Rafa doesn’t play well. no way he can win any grand slam if he keeps playing like that. these wins are nothing.
I agree. We have to be realistic. Although Rafa always loses a bit more games than Djokovic or Federer, when winning, for the top players, losing sets to the lesser gods, is always a sign of bad things on the horizon. And that my friends, is what is coming. If Rafa faces Djoko in the final, it will be another beat down. Make no mistake, I wish it was otherwise, but what we currently see is not the old Rafa. It’s the same Rafa that we saw in the fall of 2015. A soldier without arms.
Who are you Sosa Laforge……you are nothing everyone knows who RAFA is. So easy to pick him apart when you are not a fan it appears you are not. We all know Rafa has had his struggles over the last year or so, but he’s carried on working hard to return to his best and that is all that matters, only Roger Federer has more Grandslams then him, but Rafa is the next best with 14, had he not lost form he could have passed or equalled Federers 17 by now, so don’t be so ‘one eyed’ RAFA has had a brilliant career and has achieved all there is in Tennis a true Superstar inspite of his drop in form, Most players like Berdych Ferrer Nishikori Raonic Isner Tsonga and others would love to win one Grandslam but haven’t as good as they are, so stop knocking RAFA, he has won at least 1 GS for the last 14 years so give him a break will you.
Passionado.
To Miriama : what a stupid comment. who am I? a rational sane and educated woman who happened to be a realistic Rafa’s fan for the last 12 years. Rafa could surpass Federer in GSs if he had a proper and professional coach and team. Rafa won 14 GSs by punishing his body at his prime. He is not a 20 years old anymore and needs to get the help of a smart professional coach to teach him different technical and tactical style of play. Novak is going to have 14 GSs by next year so stop making a big deal about Rafa’s 14 GSs. and you Miriama stop to be so annoying.
Sosa you are a 100% right. Thank you for being a true fan and not a horrible extremist like the other one that commented.
Miriama Harris, you and Fan Love are the most hypocritical and worst Rafa fans I have ever seen!