Rafael Nadal booked a spot in the quarters in Indian Wells with a 6-7(8), 6-0, 7-5 victory over Alexander Zverev.
Rafa was on the brink of defeat as Zverev served at 5-4, 40/30 in the decider. But the teenager netted a forehand volley on match point and from there, Rafa took control. Our champ won 15 of the final 16 points to claim the dramatic victory.
Rafa improved to 11-4 on the season, and 47-8 lifetime at Indian Wells with the win.
INDIAN WELLS, CA – MARCH 16: Rafael Nadal of Spain serves during his match against Alexander Zverev of Germany at Indian Wells Tennis Garden on March 16, 2016 in Indian Wells, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Rafael Nadal, of Spain, returns to Alexander Zverev, of Germany, during the BNP Paribas Open tennis tournament, Wednesday, March 16, 2016, in Indian Wells, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Rafael Nadal, of Spain, returns to Alexander Zverev, of Germany, during the BNP Paribas Open tennis tournament, Wednesday, March 16, 2016, in Indian Wells, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Rafael Nadal, of Spain, returns to Alexander Zverev, of Germany, during the BNP Paribas Open tennis tournament, Wednesday, March 16, 2016, in Indian Wells, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Rafael Nadal, of Spain, serves to Alexander Zverev, of Germany, during the BNP Paribas Open tennis tournament, Wednesday, March 16, 2016, in Indian Wells, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Rafael Nadal, of Spain, returns to Alexander Zverev, of Germany, during the BNP Paribas Open tennis tournament, Wednesday, March 16, 2016, in Indian Wells, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Rafael Nadal, of Spain, reacts while playing Alexander Zverev, of Germany, during the BNP Paribas Open tennis tournament, Wednesday, March 16, 2016, in Indian Wells, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
INDIAN WELLS, CA – MARCH 16: Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates a point during his match against Alexander Zverev of Germany at Indian Wells Tennis Garden on March 16, 2016 in Indian Wells, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Rafael Nadal, of Spain, reacts while playing Alexander Zverev, of Germany, during the BNP Paribas Open tennis tournament, Wednesday, March 16, 2016, in Indian Wells, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Rafael Nadal, of Spain, returns to Alexander Zverev, of Germany, during the BNP Paribas Open tennis tournament, Wednesday, March 16, 2016, in Indian Wells, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
INDIAN WELLS, CA – MARCH 16: Rafael Nadal of Spain hits a forehand during his match against Alexander Zverev of Germany at Indian Wells Tennis Garden on March 16, 2016 in Indian Wells, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
INDIAN WELLS, CA – MARCH 16: Rafael Nadal of Spain hits a forehand volley during his match against Alexander Zverev of Germany at Indian Wells Tennis Garden on March 16, 2016 in Indian Wells, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
INDIAN WELLS, CA – MARCH 16: Rafael Nadal of Spain returns a forehand during his match against Alexander Zverev of Germany at Indian Wells Tennis Garden on March 16, 2016 in Indian Wells, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
INDIAN WELLS, CA – MARCH 16: Rafael Nadal of Spain shakes hands with Alexander Zverev of Gremany after his victory at Indian Wells Tennis Garden on March 16, 2016 in Indian Wells, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
INDIAN WELLS, CA – MARCH 16: Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates victory over Alexander Zverev of Gremany at Indian Wells Tennis Garden on March 16, 2016 in Indian Wells, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
INDIAN WELLS, CA – MARCH 16: Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates victory over Alexander Zverev of Gremany at Indian Wells Tennis Garden on March 16, 2016 in Indian Wells, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
INDIAN WELLS, CA – MARCH 16: Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates victory over Alexander Zverev of Gremany at Indian Wells Tennis Garden on March 16, 2016 in Indian Wells, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
INDIAN WELLS, CA – MARCH 16: Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates defeating Alexander Zverev of Germany in three sets during day ten of the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells Tennis Garden on March 16, 2016 in Indian Wells, California. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
INDIAN WELLS, CA – MARCH 16: Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates defeating Alexander Zverev of Germany in three sets during day ten of the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells Tennis Garden on March 16, 2016 in Indian Wells, California. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
INDIAN WELLS, CA – MARCH 16: Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates defeating Alexander Zverev of Germany in three sets during day ten of the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells Tennis Garden on March 16, 2016 in Indian Wells, California. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
INDIAN WELLS, CA – MARCH 16: Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates defeating Alexander Zverev of Germany in three sets during day ten of the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells Tennis Garden on March 16, 2016 in Indian Wells, California. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
Source: BNP Paribas Open
Well done Rafa just take it one day at a time you know you have the ability to win so just keep on fighting every step of the way
Watching you is so nerve wracking but exciting as we all so desperately want you to win all your matches but win or lose you are always our champ !!
well done Rafa. you did it again , best wishes in match with Kie love you always xx
BRILLIANT FIGHTING SPIRIT CHAMPION ,BREATH TAKING MATCH ,RAFA AND HIS FIGHTING SPIRIT…..NEVER GIVE UP GOT HIM THAT THIRD SET AND GREAT CONTROL,….VAMOS CHAMPION YOUR HARD WORKING IS VERY OPEN FOR ALL TO SEE, GOD BLESS YOU.
What a great fight. Take rest and than all the best for your match against Nishikori. Vamos Rafa!!!
Rafa should have won that first set. Up 8-7 in the tiebreak, he served a beauty into Alex’a body, only to completely muff up the simple down the line forehand. Score was tied at 8-8, and you felt the energy drain from Rafa’s feet.
Great second set, but I wonder why there are such wild swings in momentum in Rafa’s matches. The third set was such a roller-coaster. Whoever is coaching Rafa needs to tell him the importance of not taking his foot off the gas pedal. It’s Nishikoro tomorrow, and unlike last opponents, Kei will not bungle simple opportunities to close out a match.
Congratulations Rafa my boy. As I expected, the young gun was very good, but you showed your class n fighting spirit n confidence – you played like the Rafa of old which we your fans know so well n love you for it. Nishikori is a tough opponent n I feel you will have to serve strongly .. Aces! I am right now watching him play John Isner. Good luck n Vamos Rafa in the Qtr Finals. God bless you. Your Aussie Abuela. xxx 😀😊😇🎈🎈
Rafa you are such a fighter, today you really played exceptionally well and I’m so happy you have all the experience as a champion to win that match what a comeback. You never give up to the last point and won today. I’m so proud of you and I was so happy to see you enjoying yourself with all those fist pumps and celebrating your winning points Way to go Rafa ! Gotta love you for all the joy and excitement you bring on court for me to enjoy ! Good luck next rounds !
Rafa was simply outstanding in the first 2 sets, played exeptionally well, and then nearly imploded in the 3rd. In the end, it was Shasha’s inexperience that benefitted Rafa. Hope that the victory gives him a confidence boost though, he will need to step up his game tomorrow against Nishikori
Your comments are not only insidious, but are invidiously insidious lacking in depth and cerebral reasoning.
I see that you’ve wisely stopped abusing anybody on this site! That’s is at least a thing or two to commend about. Indeed, i can see that the fear of the Prophet is indeed the beginning of Abu Parker’s wisdom.
To all fans of Rafa, here’s is a freebie from the Prophet – Rafa to defeat Kei in straight sets, one tight and one easy e.g 6-3, 7-5
So it has been written, so shall it be.
change the color of your outfit rafa.it is very light and soft. it will reflect to your game.
I didn’t watch the match but following the scoreline on my phone. The 3rd set I cursed Rafa for being so stubborn and refusing to hire a new coach and myself for being Rafa’s fan. but I’m really happy that he won. Every loss demoralizes him more and kills his fragile confidence.
Chill out dude, we’re all in that same boat 🙂 Hopefully today’s game will help with his confidence, he’ll need it against Nishikori who played a strong come-back game against Isner
fantastic game Rafa! well done and hope you reach the final, believe and be confident and you will win… ☘☘☘ for luck
Well, what can I say, except absolutely breathtaking Rafa, you had to and did fight hard against a very talented young player, who surely has the talent to climb up the rankings at a very fast rate. Vamos and all the very best for your next match.👍👍👏👏
You can go all the way Rafa!!
YES 😃👍 You rock sweet Rafa ❤️ Congratulations on your great win 🎾💪
All the best of luck in the quarter final – VAMOS champ 😊😘
What a breath-taking match. That third set was so riveting. My heartbeat was racing as if I was on the court. Relentless Rafa, once again, “Loved it!”
I must say the teen-ager, Alex has game. I give him such credit for fighting a great battle against his idol. Rafa was just magnificent when he was trailing in the third set,
bringing the heat and demonstrating that never say die attitude! Vamos Rafa.
What a felief to see Rafa winning finally. In the third set i was about to loose my heart and disappionted. What a recovery and sheer relentness and courage by our champion.We should now have full confidence Rafa can still be on the top. Rafa your are fighter and we all love this spirit of yours.
YEH!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) CONGRATULATIONS DEAR RAFA ON YOUR FANTASTIC POWERFUL VICTORY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) 😉 😉 😉 : ) : ) : ) Watching your eagerness & brilliant focus all the way to the end is like a treat second to none!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) YOU ARE THE BEST SWEETHEART !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) SO VERY HAPPY FOR YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) 🙂 😉 ; ) : ) Your TOP COMPETITIVE GAME IS VERY SPECIAL ….full of Tennis intelligent & beautiful game read……VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) 🙂 Have a beautiful evening & enjoy your great efforts & solid game celebrating with THE TEAM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) 🙂 : ) Lots of love & happiness & VAMOS ALL THE WAY !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : )
VAMOS RAFA.💖 ALL THE WAY.
LOVEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE YOU ALWAYS.
JUST KEEP PLAYING THE SAME WAY AS YOU DID TODAY.
LOVED THE LIL JIG YOU DID ON THE COURTS.
ALWAYS KEEP SMILING.😊.
A wonderful game you made us tremble include RAFA THANKS
A true Champ… Vamos vamos Rafa! I have to work in the morning at 8am but it doesn’t matter! This was worth watching every shot! Well done! Vamos Rafa and goodnight!
Keep it up, Rafa. You’re on a roll!!!