Rafael Nadal has progressed to the final of the Qatar Open after a straight-sets victory over Illya Marchenko in Doha. His 6-3, 6-4 win over the 28-th year-old Ukranian took one hour and 17 minutes. He dropped just four points on his first serve all match.
Our champ will appear in his 99th career final, seeking a 68th title. He was 3-3 in his 2015 finals.
After the match, Rafa said:
My 99th career final, it’s a great number. I will try to play and be ready for tomorrow and play a good match.
I’m very happy to be back in the final. It’s always a great feeling, especially the first week of the season.
Rafa’s opponent in Saturday’s title bout will be top seed Novak Djokovic or third seed Tomas Berdych.
El tenista español Rafael Nadal saca ante el ucraniano Illya Marchenko durante la semifinal del torneo de tenis de Doha, Catar hoy 8 de enero de 2016. Nadal se impuso por 6-3 y 6-4 y se enfrentará al ganador de la otra semifinal entre el serbio Novak Djokovic y el checo Tomas Berdych. EFE
El tenista español Rafael Nadal saca ante el ucraniano Illya Marchenko durante la semifinal del torneo de tenis de Doha, Catar hoy 8 de enero de 2016. Nadal se impuso por 6-3 y 6-4 y se enfrentará al ganador de la otra semifinal entre el serbio Novak Djokovic y el checo Tomas Berdych. EFE
El tenista español Rafael Nadal devuelve al pelota al ucraniano Illya Marchenko durante la semifinal del torneo de tenis de Doha, Catar hoy 8 de enero de 2016. Nadal se impuso por 6-3 y 6-4 y se enfrentará al ganador de la otra semifinal entre el serbio Novak Djokovic y el checo Tomas Berdych. EFE
Spain’s Rafael Nadal returns the ball during a match against Andrey Kuznetsov of Russia at Qatar Open tennis tournament Thursday, Jan. 7, 2016, in Doha, Qatar. (AP Photo/Alexandra Panagiotidou)
Spain’s Rafael Nadal returns the ball during a match against Andrey Kuznetsov of Russia at Qatar Open tennis tournament Thursday, Jan. 7, 2016, in Doha, Qatar. (AP Photo/Alexandra Panagiotidou)
El tenista español Rafael Nadal lamenta perder un punto ante el ucraniano Illya Marchenko durante la semifinal del torneo de tenis de Doha, Catar hoy 8 de enero de 2016. Nadal se impuso por 6-3 y 6-4 y se enfrentará al ganador de la otra semifinal entre el serbio Novak Djokovic y el checo Tomas Berdych. EFE
El tenista español Rafael Nadal devuelve al pelota al ucraniano Illya Marchenko durante la semifinal del torneo de tenis de Doha, Catar hoy 8 de enero de 2016. Nadal se impuso por 6-3 y 6-4 y se enfrentará al ganador de la otra semifinal entre el serbio Novak Djokovic y el checo Tomas Berdych. EFE
El tenista español Rafael Nadal celebra su victoria ante el ucraniano Illya Marchenko por 6-3 y 6-4 en la semifinal del torneo de tenis de Doha, Catar hoy 8 de enero de 2016. Nadal se enfrentará al ganador de la otra semifinal entre el serbio Novak Djokovic y el checo Tomas Berdych. EFE
El tenista español Rafael Nadal celebra su victoria ante el ucraniano Illya Marchenko por 6-3 y 6-4 en la semifinal del torneo de tenis de Doha, Catar hoy 8 de enero de 2016. Nadal se enfrentará al ganador de la otra semifinal entre el serbio Novak Djokovic y el checo Tomas Berdych. EFE
El tenista español Rafael Nadal celebra su victoria ante el ucraniano Illya Marchenko por 6-3 y 6-4 en la semifinal del torneo de tenis de Doha, Catar hoy 8 de enero de 2016. Nadal se enfrentará al ganador de la otra semifinal entre el serbio Novak Djokovic y el checo Tomas Berdych. EFE
El tenista español Rafael Nadal celebra su victoria ante el ucraniano Illya Marchenko por 6-3 y 6-4 en la semifinal del torneo de tenis de Doha, Catar hoy 8 de enero de 2016. Nadal se enfrentará al ganador de la otra semifinal entre el serbio Novak Djokovic y el checo Tomas Berdych. EFE
El tenista español Rafael Nadal celebra su victoria ante el ucraniano Illya Marchenko por 6-3 y 6-4 en la semifinal del torneo de tenis de Doha, Catar hoy 8 de enero de 2016. Nadal se enfrentará al ganador de la otra semifinal entre el serbio Novak Djokovic y el checo Tomas Berdych. EFE
Spanish player Rafael Nadal celebrates after winning match against Illya Marchenko of Ukraine during their semi-final tennis match in the Qatar Open competition on January 8, 2016, in Doha. Nadal won 6-3, 6-4..AFP PHOTO / KARIM JAAFAR
El tenista español Rafael Nadal celebra su victoria ante el ucraniano Illya Marchenko por 6-3 y 6-4 en la semifinal del torneo de tenis de Doha, Catar hoy 8 de enero de 2016. Nadal se enfrentará al ganador de la otra semifinal entre el serbio Novak Djokovic y el checo Tomas Berdych. EFE
Congrats Rafa! Vamos <3 <3 <3
I had to purchase TennisTV to see the matches in Doha. I used the one month option for $19.99, but they do have a one day rate of $9.99 if someone just wants the final. I live on the East Coast of the US and do not know what BEIN is.
This tournament is not aired in Canada I had to order this match on BEIN channel to look at Rafa I cannot sleep and knowing he’s playing and I’m missing all his games. Win this one for me Rafa I’ll be screaming for you to win ! Hope you hear me ! Good luck my inspiration !
Rafa good job don congrats.in your win.VAMOSSSS.and good luck 🎾🇺🇸❤️🎾🇺🇸❤️😇😇😇😇😇😇😇😇😇😇😇😇😇😇😇😇😇😇😇😇😇😇😇😇😇😇😇😇
Dear Rafa, you’re in the FINAL. Great for you. I wish you the very very best during your match tomorrow. Keep the good confidence, stay healthy and stay with a good feelings on court. With good health, good luck and good confidence you can surely be victorious. God bless you Rafa. Love you, Marylynn.
In Spain on Holiday and not one shop selling T Shirts of Rafa – granddaughter will be very Disappointed 😂
Tomorrow is a big, big match. A win would be that huge boost that rafa needs prior to this aussie open and it is really, really time that he beats the djoker again. A loss however would mean that his h2h against nole becomes a negative one and it would confirm that the so called comeback is not very real. A win is absolutely key.
He played marvellous, very aggressive and determined too and hardly made any ue, and surpassed his own record with aces, he needs to do this tomorrow🐃🐂🇧🇴
Do you know if it is being aired in the USA?
Great job. So happy for you. Now one more. Be tough and positive. Come out the champion.
Can anyone tell me if they are airing this tournament in the USA? If so, I have time warner and live on the east coast. What network if any?
I have Comcast in Seattle.BEIN sports is showing a delayed match at 10:00 pm. Nothing live here.
VAMOS DEAR RAFA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) 🙂 : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR IMPRESSIVE VICTORY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) LOVE WATCHING YOU PLAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! THAT WAS AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Congratulations on YOUR Beautiful win !!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) VAMOS………VAMOS…………VAMOS…….. fun to watch your beautiful ACES & FANTASTIC SERVE wow……& your amazing STRIKING STRONG RETURNS…… EACH RETURN WAS MORE & MORE POWERFUL ….. GREAT MATCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : )
Have a nice evening celebrating sweetheart …..we can only imagine how pleased you must feel with your fantastic TENNIS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) We are very happy for you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YOU HAVE THE GOODS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! CONGRATULATIONS on making 99 ATP FINALS!!!!!!!!!!! The next one will be a great match for you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) ci….ci…..ci…..ci……& ci…..ci…..ci…..ci….. You are by far THE GOAT & the BEST PLAYER EVER !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) ci….ci….ci….ci…. A TRUE CHAMPION INSIDE OUT & THE CROWN AMONGST MEN TENNIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) Enjoy your powerful momentum & have LOTS OF FUN making Novak run side to side………and by the way, I always love watching his bummed expression when you make unbelievable returns……. : ) : ) : ) He is funny and expressive : ) VAMOS DEAR RAFA …… have fun playing & we will have fun watching your magic on the hard court !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) GO……..GO……..GO…….
Lots of love & happiness to you & THE MAGNIFICENT TEAM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) VAMOS…………………VAMOS……………………VAMOS……………..!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ; ) : ) : )
Congrats RAFA, unto the finals.
As usual I have to wait on the posted match, no stream.
YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
RAFA fan forever.
I was expecting a tougher match today, but I am not complaining. He served better and had fewer UFEs than yesterday. Not sure what tomorrow will bring, but being in the final is very good news.
Very happy for Rafa! I didn’t see this match, but Rafa seems confident and determent! That is a good sighn. Vamos Rafa! You can win again! I wish you strength!
Have not watched the game yet but what a brilliant result .final is on Eurosport 2.tomorrow at 3 o’clock ,UK time
Congratulations on reaching the final! Keep up the mental confidence-Djoko can be beat.
He played beautifully, full of confidence. Very very happy for you Rafa.💖 for a wonderful semifinal today. Got to watch the match today, was very happy about the same.
All the best.🌷 n good luck for the final.
Just play your game tomorrow, with all the confidence in the world.
Loveeeeeeeeeeeeeee you Rafa.💖, loads and loads of luck.
He was fantastic. Can someone tell me what time is final tomorrow and on what station. Not on BEIN lineup.
By far the superior player and yet had a misses that he would usually hit with his eyes closed. Served well. Some brutal rallies. Overall impressive display and confident on court.
Pretty solid play Rafa… Wanna see with the title…
I haven’t seen the match, does someone can tell me how Rafa has played?