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
the conditions in Madrid is crazy quick coz of the altitude.. it does not even look like a claycourt game.. look at all the serve bots playing well .. Roanic.. krygios etc… So how Rafa does here me thinks has no bearing on how he will do in RG. Also Joker to meet rafa has to get past Roanic tomorrow. Same for Rafa has to go past maybe murray… I think Rafa has got his clay game back. RG is going to be v interesting.. i fancy rafas chances in RG if Rafa can somehow get the 4th seed and play nole in SF
I honestly thought the match would go to 3 sets. But Rafa problem-solved and figured out how to harness all of Sam’s power. Great result today!
Call me crazy but I rather not see Rafa play Novak until the French Open where he can
surprise blitz him with his over-abundance of confidence and self belief. If
I could write that script but I can’t. Rafa plays to win every match. Just having fun with the “What If’s!”
Keep Novak guessing at the French where he’ll be his most vulnerable and nervous because he’s never won there before. The rivalry between Rafa and Novak is more
mental than anything else. Novak wouldn’t have any opportunity to adjust his game
if he doesn’t face Rafa until then. That would be the ultimate show-down.
Anyway, best wishes for the match against Sousa who also plays with intensity.
What many novak and rafa people dont kno and the truth is djokovic has beaten an IN-FORM nadal in Masters clay. But NOT in rolland garros. If he loses Madrid to nadal it will be even worse for him. He has alot to lose in this tournament.. A rafa in form is the last thing Novak wanted heading to rolland garros. What a nightmare for a guy who is seeking his first slam ther. He may act cool or relaxed but he knows this truth. VAMOS RAFA. U r in his head.
Well Chris, now that Nadal lost to Andy let’s see if he can beat Nole. If Andy does, that will make just another person Nole has to worry about in Rome.
RAFA ROCKZ!
#midgie and #Linda arnold
Thank you for speaking my mind in printable fashion. I would have been thrown off of here had I said what I was thinking about the negative comments and their writers.
Midgie’s last paragraph is so on point. The media treated Rafa as if he were some amateur fly by night. They even had him dumping Uncle Toni as coach. They had nothing nice to write about. He had to remind a journalist that he was number five in the world, not number 100. And being polite at the same time.
I’ve been a Rafa fan since the very first time I saw him play in 2005. I NEVER watched tennis prior to that. I was amazed by his speed and reflexes. I just felt that he was someone special, me knowing very little about tennis. He did not disappoint. And he keeps giving to his fans. I would watch and support him if his ranking fell further. That’s what a true fan does.
RAFA ROCKS!!
I am proud of you. There is a reason they call you KING OF CLAY.
I’m happy that Rafa won the first set! The second set was very much easier for him. But still I think he has to be much alert, more aggressive! Tomorrow he will play Joao Sousa who is a different player now, very aggressive and he will play the match of his life tomorrow! So, Rafa has to play very smart tomorrow! He was a little bit off today! Vamos Rafa……
Sousa dropped a set today against Jack Sock, a 22-year old. I would think that Rafael’s experience would give him an excellent chance of winning on Friday against an aggressive Sousa. No?
Well done Rafa. Nice way to solve the Querrey problem! Now on to the Sousa problem, and don’t let up!
Djoker is still a long way away, and even Rafa said in that interview that he’d rather play anybody but Djokovic in the final. Anyway, if they do meet, good luck Rafa, and I know you will fight with everything that you have, baby!
I am so happy for this young man. Our king of clay is slowly coming back to his great form. Best of luck.
Well novak had to sit at home and watch rafa’s rise in taking monte carlo and then barcelona – both for the 9th time. Defo this will mess with his head esp with RG coming up. And oh wait – he has that 9 times too!!
2nd Set, 2nd Game, 2nd Point ….. Rafa delivers a devastating forehand into the right-hand corner Sam! Vintage Rafa, vintage Rafa Forehand! The Rafa comeback is in track, and should mess totally with Novak’s head!
VAMOS RAFA!!!
Hmmmmm…………….
Most of us on this site are big fans, but we need to be realistic too. Just like our hero! Novak looks very sharp and rested. What we saw today was a player being very aggressive, but Rafa figured it out and made adjustments. Let’s take it match by match like Rafa does.
I am sure rafa is in novak’s head now – no matter how cool he tries to play it. Lets hope if they do meet in the final that rafa proves me right
Agree with you!!! Vamos Rafa!!!
Hmmmmmm………………agree???????????
#Chantelle He will!
Will he Margo? Sincerely?
He wont survive playing like that against the Djoker! That’s the truth…..
When Rafa was on Djokovic’s turf at Indian Wells, he came close to taking that 1st set so I am confident he will do well against him here on his favorite surface. Whether or not Rafa is in his head, he has got a ton of demons to deal with when he arrives at Roland Garros fearing he may lose for the 12th consecutive year there. Very unbecoming of a #1 ranked player to be so unsuccessful at one singular grand slam event.
Vamos Rafa go for broke and win Madrid for the 5th time!!!!!
Well… Pete Sampras is a 14 time Grand Slammer and he never won RG. Pete is also a sweetheart.
What we can say is that Rafa won all four Grand Slams and we hope he makes a much anticipated RG decima.
Let’s get through Madrid first.
I love the positive attitude of his fans here. Let’s channel our confidence in him to him.
RAFA ROCKS?
Never tire of seeing Rafael win with confidence! Always thinking and solving the problem. Keep fighting-we see how you appreciate and savour the victory.🇪🇸👊💪👍👏👑🏆❤️
if you meet the joker in the final,, what you did today definitely will not cut it,,,
WRONG!
I will take Rafa’s 20 clay court wins over Nole’s 7 in a heartbeat.
Rafa will find his rhythm and send Nole packing IF Nole makes it to the final.
No ifs, ands, or buts about it.
#Robertov: You are CORRECT, Rafa will have to step up his game against Nole. Most likely he played today to conserve as much energy as possible, and avoid risk of injury. Novak will be a tough one, but I think Rafa will win the mental game. I think Rafa’s gotten into Novak’s brain, and that will be the difference maker. Vamos Rafa!!!
WRONG!
Nole is now so terrified of the King of Clay that he is trembling with low confidence.
This clay season will be a triumphant one for Rafa.
RAFA ROCKS!!!
time to take your chill-pill, cupcake …….
Robertov,
You’ve spoken the TRUTH which Rafa fans here hate to hear.
But the truth is the truth.
Bravo!!!
Why don’t you sod off to who whoever it is you supports page..certainly isn’t Nadal !!!
GREAT MATCH, RAFA!!!! So proud of you!!! KEEP IT GOING!!! VAMOS RAFA!!!
Great???????????????
Rafa 86 –
Cupcake? Look down your nose at people much?
These people who come here for the sole purpose of being derisive and belittling to anyone who expresses their unbridled happiness of a Rafa victory need badges, I think, as it seems they have anointed themselves the opinion police. If you don’t temper your joy with skepticism or “realism” as they deem proper, then you fall out of favor with this despotic lot, and apparently it is their self-appointed duty to make sure you feel like an idiot, and they have the right to call you a “cupcake,” or even a “c**t.”
I think if everyone on this site inexplicably and suddenly agreed with them, they’d come up with something else to scold everyone about because I think their most identifiable reason for posting is simply a need to feel superior, and nothing more.
I admired Rafa today. He was able to come up with solutions and grab his opportunities when they came, staying mentally resolved, like the Rafa to whom we had become accustomed. How hard he must have worked in the last several months to regain that again, all under the scrutiny of a doubtful media, not to mention judgmental fans, and handling it all with his usual grace. I don’t think anyone can imagine how difficult that must have been for him. I know I can’t.
Oh Midget, you poor little FRUITCAKE! Its too late for a chill pill for you fruitcake, your emotional frustration is frothing all over your beak! Please go play in the traffic now …… O_O
You mean former world number 1 right?
But yeah MUCHO LOVE FOR THE NADAL!!!
Corrected!
Anyway, he’s always our No. 1 no matter what his ATP ranking says 🙂
RNFs
Why haven’t you kicked off the person (Rafa_86) making personal attacks here against other fans?
Rafa 86 –
I’m so chastised now – The best you can come up with is a rather obvious play on my user name, and and not a very clever one at that. Emotional frustration? I don’t bother getting emotional over folks like you. That was just my measured response to you. Maybe you should at least freshen it up by finding some new terms to throw at people. There’s only so many times you can tell people to take a chill pill before it becomes meaningless (not that it hasn’t become a cliched expression already.)
Hi midgie,
For future tournaments please just ignore this loser. It probably delights him/her when fans respond to his nasty and mean comments. Just don’t give him what he wants. Can’t you tell there is something seriously wrong when he picks Nadal’s sobriquet as his own. Seriously. LOL
Fantastic result, although i was worried at the beginning of the match with how well Sam was playing. I still can’t believe how Rafa came back in that 1st set. A magician! Hope he does the same tomorrow
WOW That was one scarey first set. You pulled through Rafa, in only 69 minutes!
RAFAEL NADAL ROCKS!!!
Not sure what was scary about the first set, he won it very comfortably. He did what was necessary to win without expending unnecessary energy, simple as that, I think …….
Rafa-86 i agree with you. There was no impression that Rafa was going to lose this match despite the start at 3-0 . This scenario is very different from that of last year where Rafa was struggling against big servers. He knew exactly what to do and even reserved his energy. I feel he is playing better than in 2014 when he won the french open. I think we are once again back in the era where you can simply sit and relax when Rafa is playing.
Great fight in the first set and than Rafa played a solid second set. Good luck for your match tomorrow. Vamos Rafa!!!
As usual just following scores, I have to wait for the replay of the match. Congrats RAFA, gosh………….. CONGRATS. Unto the Sousa next!
RAFA fan forever
I await your comments on the match. You help me better to understand Rafa’s game 😀
RAFA ROCKS!
You put your game comments in a different post. If you can, cut and paste them here.
Great to see Rafa rise to an undeniable challenge.
Hmmmmmmmmmmm………