On a hot day in Buenos Aires, Rafael Nadal reached the semi-finals of the Argentina Open as he defeated Italian Paolo Lorenzi in two straight sets, 7-6(3), 6-2.
Our champ had seen off close friend Juan Monaco in Thursday’s first round but faced a slightly tougher test today when 34-year-old Lorenzi, the world 52, clawed his way back from a 4-1 first set deficit. Rafa clinched victory on his first match point after one hour and 51 minutes on court.
After the match, Rafa said:
The conditions were really extreme and they made me very tired.
So I am happy to be in the semi-finals as this is an important week for me. I thank all the fans who put up with the heat to support me.
It’s tough for the players but also the spectators too.
Spain’s Rafael Nadal casts his shadow as he serves during his tennis match against Italy’s Paolo Lorenzi at the ATP Argentina Open in Buenos Aires, February 12, 2016. REUTERS/Marcos Brindicci
Rafael Nadal of Spain gestures during a match against Paolo Lorenzi of Italy during an ATP Argentina Open in Buenos Aires, Argentina., Friday, Feb. 12, 2016. (AP Photo/Ivan Fernandez)
Rafael Nadal of Spain serves during a match against Paolo Lorenzi of Italy at the ATP Argentina Open in Buenos Aires, Argentina., Friday, Feb. 12, 2016. (AP Photo/Ivan Fernandez)
Rafael Nadal of Spain returns the ball to Paolo Lorenzi of Italy during an ATP Argentina Open tennis match in Buenos Aires, Argentina., Friday, Feb. 12, 2016. (AP Photo/Ivan Fernandez)
Spain’s Rafael Nadal plays a shot during his tennis match against Italy’s Paolo Lorenzi at the ATP Argentina Open in Buenos Aires, February 12, 2016. REUTERS/Marcos Brindicci
El tenista español Rafael Nadal enfrenta al italiano Paolo Lorenzi hoy, viernes 12 de febrero de 2016, durante un partido por los cuartos de final del torneo ATP de Buenos Aires (Argentina). EFE/David Fernández
El tenista español Rafael Nadal devuelve una bola al italiano Paolo Lorenzi hoy, viernes 12 de febrero de 2016, durante un partido por los cuartos de final del torneo ATP de Buenos Aires (Argentina). EFE/David Fernández
El tenista español Rafael Nadal se hidrata durante en un descanso ante el italiano Paolo Lorenzi hoy, viernes 12 de febrero de 2016, durante un partido por los cuartos de final del torneo ATP de Buenos Aires (Argentina). EFE/David Fernández
Spain’s Rafael Nadal plays a shot during his tennis match against Italy’s Paolo Lorenzi at the ATP Argentina Open in Buenos Aires, February 12, 2016. REUTERS/Marcos Brindicci
El tenista español Rafael Nadal devuelve una bola al italiano Paolo Lorenzi hoy, viernes 12 de febrero de 2016, durante un partido por los cuartos de final del torneo ATP de Buenos Aires (Argentina). EFE/David Fernández
Spain’s Rafael Nadal plays a shot during his tennis match against Italy’s Paolo Lorenzi at the ATP Argentina Open in Buenos Aires, February 12, 2016. REUTERS/Marcos Brindicci
Spain’s Rafael Nadal covers his face with a towel during a break of his tennis match against Italy’s Paolo Lorenzi at the ATP Argentina Open in Buenos Aires, February 12, 2016. REUTERS/Marcos Brindicci
Spain’s Rafael Nadal plays a shot during his tennis match against Italy’s Paolo Lorenzi at the ATP Argentina Open in Buenos Aires, February 12, 2016. REUTERS/Marcos Brindicci
El tenista español Rafael Nadal enfrenta al italiano Paolo Lorenzi hoy, viernes 12 de febrero de 2016, durante un partido por los cuartos de final del torneo ATP de Buenos Aires (Argentina). EFE/David Fernández
El tenista español Rafael Nadal enfrenta al italiano Paolo Lorenzi hoy, viernes 12 de febrero de 2016, durante un partido por los cuartos de final del torneo ATP de Buenos Aires (Argentina). EFE/David Fernández
El tenista español Rafael Nadal devuelve una bola al italiano Paolo Lorenzi hoy, viernes 12 de febrero de 2016, durante un partido por los cuartos de final del torneo ATP de Buenos Aires (Argentina). EFE/David Fernández
Drops of sweat come off Spain’s Rafael Nadal as he gets ready to serve during his tennis match against Italy’s Paolo Lorenzi at the ATP Argentina Open in Buenos Aires, February 12, 2016. REUTERS/Marcos Brindicci TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY
El tenista español Rafael Nadal enfrenta al italiano Paolo Lorenzi hoy, viernes 12 de febrero de 2016, durante un partido por los cuartos de final del torneo ATP de Buenos Aires (Argentina). EFE/David Fernández
El tenista español Rafael Nadal enfrenta al italiano Paolo Lorenzi hoy, viernes 12 de febrero de 2016, durante un partido por los cuartos de final del torneo ATP de Buenos Aires (Argentina). EFE/David Fernández
El tenista español Rafael Nadal enfrenta al italiano Paolo Lorenzi hoy, viernes 12 de febrero de 2016, durante un partido por los cuartos de final del torneo ATP de Buenos Aires (Argentina). EFE/David Fernández
El tenista español Rafael Nadal saluda después de vencer al italiano Paolo Lorenzi hoy, viernes 12 de febrero de 2016, durante un partido por los cuartos de final del torneo ATP de Buenos Aires (Argentina). EFE/David Fernández
Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates his victory in a tennis match against Paolo Lorenzi of Argentina at the ATP Argentina Open in Buenos Aires, Argentina Friday, Feb. 12, 2016. (AP Photo/Ivan Fernandez)
It was Rafa’s 346th win on clay as he remains on track to claim a 48th career title on the surface which has brought him his greatest success.
Our champ will now face Dominic Thiem, who beat Dusan Lajovic of Serbia 6-4, 6-2.
Source: AFP
The Joker got tired loosing to rafa nadal so many times,, joker said Rafa does not need a new coach.,,what does he mean. Joker is laughing all the way to the bank., what he does lately is not normal, but all other players, including RAFA MOSTLY RAFA,, THE JOKER IS HAVING THE CONTROL, why why why,,
Solid forehands with power and good to see most of the balls landing in great depth even when playing far from baseline
But rafa did look tired
Keep it up rafa ….just need to serve well but i am sure it will come
Take care ….best luck for next match
vamos
VAMOS RAFA.💖. I KNOW , NO MATTER WHAT TROUBLES YOU, YOU WILL ALWAYS GIVE YOUR BEST.
COZ YOU HAVE SO MUCH PASSION FOR THE GAME, N SO MUCH LOVE FOR YOUR FANS.
YOU ARE A TRUE CHAMPION.
AS I ALWAYS SAY ALL YOUR HARD WORK WILL DEFINITELY PAY OFF.
ALL THE BEST.🌷 FOR THE SEMIS.
LOVEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE AS ALWAYS TO YOU RAFA.💖.
Weak 1st set. Strong 2nd set. Not good enough to win slams or ATP 1000s. But perhaps good enough to win lower level events like this one.
On the way up never doubted that you are the best vamos Rafa
Well done Rafa another match to get through tomorrow just keep on fighting hope you are feeling ok but we all have no doubt you will do this
Congrats for the win …
I am sure soon Rafa will be back in his old form ….!!
Well done! Vamos Rafa!
I heard Rafa has an upset stomach and the heat/humidity is not helping him. He just does not have his usual bounce. I sure hope he feels better tomorrow.
He was certainly up and down today.
Good second set and now to build on that.
VAMOS DEAR RAFA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) YEH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That was a BEAUTIFUL VICTORY…..CONGRATULATIONS dear Rafa !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) The match was interesting & had intensity & your playing was magnificent!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) You hit some UNBELIEVABLE GORGEOUS RETURNS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) It is precious to see you move along a match at a time and congratulations for making the Semi Finals!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) Very happy for you !!!!!!!! : )
VAMOS SWEETHEART & lots of love & happiness!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) Have a beautiful evening & a nice relaxed early night with extra hour of good massage & extra sleep!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) Have fun celebrating!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) It was a great match! : )
Rafa looked hurt. Does anybody know what he has? At the end of the first set he took some painkiller:(
I think Rafa had stomach ache due to extreme weather. It wasn’t the first time. It did happen last year and affected him badly in AO 2015. I don’t know why he hasn’t been received any treatment for good.
Great win ,,,,keep positive Rafa ,,,,