World No. 5 Rafael Nadal came through his toughest test yet of this year’s Madrid Open as the four-time Madrid champion booked his place in the quarter-finals.
Rafa had also dropped six games in his opening match but was made to battle much harder on Thursday for a 6-4, 6-2 win in 69 minutes against American Sam Querrey.
It was his 12th straight win in 2016 (16-2 on clay).
After the match, Rafa said:
It was a tough start. He was hitting every ball hard and was being successful. I couldn’t get to the ball. It took me a while to get into a rhythm.
His last-eight opponent will be Joao Sousa, who beat Jack Sock, 6-1, 6-7(3), 6-2 in two hours and 14 minutes.
Rafael Nadal of Spain in action against Sam Querrey of USA during day six of the Mutua Madrid Open tennis tournament at the Caja Magica on May 05, 2016 in Madrid, Spain. (May 4, 2016 – Source: Julian Finney/Getty Images Europe)
Rafael Nadal of Spain in action against Sam Querrey of USA during day six of the Mutua Madrid Open tennis tournament at the Caja Magica on May 05, 2016 in Madrid, Spain. (May 4, 2016 – Source: Julian Finney/Getty Images Europe)
Rafael Nadal of Spain in action against Sam Querrey of USA during day six of the Mutua Madrid Open tennis tournament at the Caja Magica on May 05, 2016 in Madrid, Spain. (May 4, 2016 – Source: Julian Finney/Getty Images Europe)
Rafael Nadal of Spain in action against Sam Querrey of USA during day six of the Mutua Madrid Open tennis tournament at the Caja Magica on May 05, 2016 in Madrid, Spain. (May 4, 2016 – Source: Julian Finney/Getty Images Europe)
Tennis – Madrid Open – Rafael Nadal of Spain v Sam Querrey of USA – Madrid, Spain – 5/5/16 Nadal reacts during the match. REUTERS/Juan Medina
Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates a point against Sam Querrey of the United States in their third round match during day six of the Mutua Madrid Open tennis tournament at the Caja Magica on May 05, 2016 in Madrid,Spain (May 4, 2016 – Source: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images Europe)
Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates winning a game against Sam Querrey of USA during day six of the Mutua Madrid Open tennis tournament at the Caja Magica on May 05, 2016 in Madrid, Spain. (May 4, 2016 – Source: Julian Finney/Getty Images Europe)
El español Rafa Nadal durante su partido frente al estadounidense San Querrey, correspondiente a la tercera ronda del torneo de tenis de Madrid que se disputa en la Caja Mágica. EFE/JuanJo Martín
Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates a point against Sam Querrey of the United States in their third round match during day six of the Mutua Madrid Open tennis tournament at the Caja Magica on May 05, 2016 in Madrid,Spain (May 4, 2016 – Source: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images Europe)
Rafael Nadal of Spain in action against Sam Querrey of USA during day six of the Mutua Madrid Open tennis tournament at the Caja Magica on May 05, 2016 in Madrid, Spain. (May 4, 2016 – Source: Julian Finney/Getty Images Europe)
Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates winning a game against Sam Querrey of USA during day six of the Mutua Madrid Open tennis tournament at the Caja Magica on May 05, 2016 in Madrid, Spain. (May 4, 2016 – Source: Julian Finney/Getty Images Europe)
El español Rafa Nadal,durante su partido frente al estadounidense San Querrey, correspondiente a la tercera ronda del torneo de tenis de Madrid que se disputa en la Caja Mágica. EFE/JuanJo Martín
Tennis – Madrid Open – Rafael Nadal of Spain v Sam Querrey of USA – Madrid, Spain – 5/5/16 Nadal celebrates winning a point. REUTERS/Juan Medina
MADRID, SPAIN – MAY 05: Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates winning the first set against Sam Querrey of USA during day six of the Mutua Madrid Open tennis tournament at the Caja Magica on May 05, 2016 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
El español Rafa Nadal,durante su partido frente al estadounidense San Querrey, correspondiente a la tercera ronda del torneo de tenis de Madrid que se disputa en la Caja Mágica. EFE/JuanJo Martín
Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates winning a game against Sam Querrey of USA during day six of the Mutua Madrid Open tennis tournament at the Caja Magica on May 05, 2016 in Madrid, Spain. (May 4, 2016 – Source: Julian Finney/Getty Images Europe)
Tennis – Madrid Open – Rafael Nadal of Spain v Sam Querrey of USA – Madrid, Spain – 5/5/16 Nadal celebrates after winning the match. REUTERS/Juan Medina
Rafael Nadal, from Spain, celebrates after winning his match against Sam Querrey, from US, during the Madrid Open tennis tournament in Madrid, Spain, Thursday, May 5, 2016. Nadal won 6-4 and 6-2. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)
Tennis – Madrid Open – Rafael Nadal of Spain v Sam Querrey of USA – Madrid, Spain – 5/5/16 Nadal celebrates after winning the match. REUTERS/Juan Medina
El español Rafa Nadal durante su partido frente al estadounidense San Querrey, correspondiente a la tercera ronda del torneo de tenis de Madrid que se disputa en la Caja Mágica. EFE/JuanJo Martín
Rafael Nadal, from Spain, celebrates after winning his match against Sam Querrey, from US, during the Madrid Open tennis tournament in Madrid, Spain, Thursday, May 5, 2016. Nadal won 6-4 and 6-2. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)
Tennis – Madrid Open – Rafael Nadal of Spain v Sam Querrey of USA – Madrid, Spain – 5/5/16 Nadal celebrates after winning the match. REUTERS/Juan Medina
I am looking forward to seeing you play at the US Open 2016.
and that your health is 100% and that you will take the trophy!!!
Go Rafa!!!!!! a loyal fan. Jeri 🐢
ps I saw you play in Barcelona in April.
I was so happy for you that you won!!!!!!!!!!! 🎉 🌻 🌹 🌻 🎉
#Gen
6-0, 4-6, 6-3 Rafa wins in 3 sets against Sousa
6-3 This set. Rafa wins the match.
RAFA YOU ROCK!
CORRECTION
6-3 Third set
Rafa drops the second set 4-6 to Sousa.
They are now in the third set 1 up. This may go to a tie break. Nail biting time fans!
Sousa upset about his first set bagel.
C’mon Rafa YOU CAN DO IT!
RAFA ROCKS!