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!
Sousa received a bagel in the first set.
Rafa-1, Sousa-0 in second set. Some of my fellow fans here had me worried about an “aggressive Sousa.” I am pleased to say I am no longer worried.
WAMOS RAFA!
John McEnroe claims that Rafael is the most intelligent player, he finds a way to figure things out. Best aspect from last night was his confidence and calmness to recover from 4\1 down.
I have always had that belief about Rafa. He is amazing.
Sorry, posted my comments under wrong heading.
Ummm, I just watched the first set. If Sam was a better player he would have beat RAFA 6-1. Do not get me wrong – I want our guy to win ALL his matches, but Sam is just awful.
I’m not sure what was going on with RAFA, maybe:
The big serve
Trying to figure Sam’s game
The conditions
Not sure, but it was NOT Sam. Sam is NOT a thinking player like RAFA, he could NOT perform under pressure at all and made some horrendous UNFORCED errors.
It’s not all about the big serve, that’s the foundation. RAFA is an intelligent player which is why he was able to turn that set around quickly.
Guys, as a tennis fan; it was hard to watch RAFA go down to such a player. If you are a fan of Sam, I apologize, just a spectator that have watched many, many, many matches.
Thank God, RAFA didn’t get down on himself and just worked through whatever it was.
Unto set#2. I just had to vent.
RAFA fan forever.
Very happy that Rafa got through. Everyone is talking about nole etc. please go match by match. I personally don’t think that Rafa could mess with nole’s mind that easily – especially when Toni and Rafa always expressing fear of having to face nole. Nole wools probably try to dictate terms from the start not allowing Rafa to play his game. I can only hope for Rafa to go that far and then …… . VAMOS
Congrats Rafa ! I was about to shower for work and I didn’t want to leave the TV OMG when I saw 3 -0 I got up took a break and get ready for work turn the TV volume very loud and followed the score and then in about 60 minutes later it was match point ! These people who are making negative comments about Rafa “Are you kidding me ” Rafa wanted Sam to feel he’s going to beat him ! Then he started with his weapons and it was all over ! Joker will have to put up a good fight with Rafa this time to beat him ! I’m going to say Rafa all the way !