Defending champion Rafael Nadal will meet David Goffin in the final of the Mubadala World Tennis Championship exhibition event in Abu Dhabi.
Our champ defeated Canadian Milos Raonic 6-1, 3-6, 6-3.
After the match, Rafa said:
It’s great to be back on court after a time without matches.
To beat two great players (Tomas Berdych on Thursday and Raonic on Friday) is great news for me.
David is very talented. It will be a tough match but I will do my best. (via AFP)
ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – DECEMBER 30: Rafael Nadal of Spain in action against Milos Raonic of Canada during day two of the Mubadala World Tennis Championship at Zayed Sport City on December 30, 2016 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images)
ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – DECEMBER 30: Rafael Nadal of Spain in action against Milos Raonic of Canada during day two of the Mubadala World Tennis Championship at Zayed Sport City on December 30, 2016 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images)
ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – DECEMBER 30: Rafael Nadal of Spain in action against Milos Raonic of Canada during day two of the Mubadala World Tennis Championship at Zayed Sport City on December 30, 2016 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images)
ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – DECEMBER 30: Rafael Nadal of Spain in action against Milos Raonic of Canada during day two of the Mubadala World Tennis Championship at Zayed Sport City on December 30, 2016 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images)
ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – DECEMBER 30: Rafael Nadal of Spain reacts during day two of the Mubadala World Tennis Championship at Zayed Sport City on December 30, 2016 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images)
ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – DECEMBER 30: Rafael Nadal of Spain reacts during day two of the Mubadala World Tennis Championship at Zayed Sport City on December 30, 2016 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images)
ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – DECEMBER 30: Rafael Nadal of Spain in action against Milos Raonic of Canada during day two of the Mubadala World Tennis Championship at Zayed Sport City on December 30, 2016 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images)
Tennis – Mubadala World Tennis Championship – Rafael Nadal of Spain v Milos Raonic of Canada – Abu Dhabi, UAE – 30/12/16 – Rafael Nadal of Spain. REUTERS/Ahmed Jadallah
Earlier, Goffin upset world No 1 Andy Murray with a 7-6(4), 6-4 victory. In the match for fifth-place in the six-man field, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga beat Thomas Berdych 6-7 (5/7), 6-3, 10-3.
Should Rafa take the crown tomorrow it would be his fouth victory in Abu Dhabi.
It has been reported that Carlos will not join Rafa until the AO. I was surprised to read that. Perhaps his absence from the MWTC, and Brisbane is a way to see how Rafa does on his own. Or maybe Toni is keeping Moyà busy at the academy. 🤔
It seems that Carlos Moyà may have more in common with Rafa than I thought: an aversion to change. Carlos has three children: Carla, then Carlos, and finally a very different name, Daniela. Interesting.
RAFA ROCKS
Get to Aussiland Rafa, to prepare for your first opponent at Brisbane, Alex Dolgopolov.
RAFA ROCKS
For those fans who could not watch:
Rafa was down 1-3 in the second set. But then he appeared to steamroll to 4-3, but Goffin caught up to even the score at 4-4. At this point “tiebreak” kept nagging me. Brought to mind many of this year’s sets that Rafa should have been able to close but just didn’t/couldn’t.
The score stayed 4-4 for what seemed like forever. Then 5-5, then 6-6 until Rafa closed it out.
YES YOU CAN RAFA
YES YES YES RAFA WON TITLE and money, LOL
RAFA ROCKS
How much money!
Not much Souix, $250,000. I believe that’s the only money prize.
RAFA ROCKS
First set to Rafa 6-4.
Second set is now in a tiebreak: 6-6.
CLOSE IT OUT RAFA.
RAFA ROCKS
Rafa how great that you have had two wins now.
ALL the best for your game to Daviid.
HAPPY NEW YEAR
I am looking forward to seeing you in Sydney,
then God willing Melbourne at Australian open.
Love and prayers,
AlaineXXSydneyXXAustraliaXXXXXXXXXX
Posted on The Grandstand by Ricky on 12/30/2016
Rafa: “David and I practice together at most tournaments. I know him and he knows me. But in competitions it is always different and I hope it will be an interesting match together. David plays so quick, I will need to change direction and the rhythm of the ball.”
Good luck Rafa against Goffin.
RAFA ROCKS
Wish I could package all of this good cheer and hand deliver it to Rafa before his match tomorrow.
RAFA ROCKS
Vamos vamos vamos Rafa! Good luck for the final tomorrow! Can anyone tell me what time and which UK sports channel the match will be televised on?
The final is gonna be at 11:00 and the channel is Eurosport 2.
Thank you Akos
I am delighted with Rafa’s win today. I agree with those who pointed out that Milos has improved a lot since last year. Tomorrow’s match should be terrific. I will be pulling for another trophy. Rafa’s hair is looking good too.
Great to see you back Rafa 😍Congratulatuons on your victories and the best of luck in the final – VAMOS CHAMP! 🎾💪🏼😊😘
A very happy new year to you and yours 😃🍀❤🎊🎆
I was concerned about Rafa’s match vs a confident Raonic, who has been the recipient of much praise this past year. Rafa dropped a set but won the match, and as he recently said, “A win is always a win.” I have to agree.
Taking into account Raonic’s improvement since last year’s MWTC, you did damned good Rafa.
RAFA ROCKS
An amazing and impressive start to your season Rafa, to beat Berdych and Milos is fantastic to see for all your fans who have never given up hope you will be back fighting fit and and firing, perhaps this will be ‘Your Year of Success’ as Milos has been climbing the rankings to 3rd in your absence, so to beat him is absolutely incredible, all your fans hope to see you scamper up the rankings too, you did fall a few places in your absence and these two wins are will make a difference absolutely exciting news Rafa keep it up Vamos.
It will sure as hell be a tough match.
David Goffin plays more like Dustin Brown, Rafa’s nemesis on grass
Uh, but this is not grass
Rafa must be all out aggressive if he hopes to beat him….but we’ll see.
Hmmnnn…………………
A year ago Nadal beat Raonic in straight sets. He needed 3 today. A little bit of expectation management is in order. Many here celebrate yesterday’s win as if Rafa did finally win GS 15, 16 and 17 (the ones he should have won, and could have won, at this stage of his career) but he just beat Berdych OK? A tough opponent, but not a player Nadal should ever lose to again. Losing to Berdych would have meant 2015 is back (or still not over..2016 was worse in fact). God forbid.
A year ago Raonic was no.14 now he’s no.3. A year ago Nadal was no.5 and now no.9; so beating Raonic again is still something positive, given how much Raonic has improved, not forgetting the no.1 player also had a hard time beating Raonic not too long ago.
Right on Luckydoggy!
Rafa is just beginning the season after time out for injury problems, and Milos has gone up the rankings to 3rd in his absence while Rafa has dropped to 9th where he hasn’t been for years. And to come back and win twice against Berdych and Milos is absolutely amazing that shows he is finding some of his Rafa magic, as fans we hope this year will be his year of success he deserves it he has never lost his fighting spirit or his determination and commitment, any win is a good win keep it up Rafa I believe he can do it against Goffin as good as he is, great to see you back with your formidable style and class….
Stay hungry for the win!👍💪👊👏🏆👑❤️
so so happy for you Rafa , i am canadian and i sure do love to watch you play 🙂
Good match today. Looks for this early part of the season very good. Good luck for tomorrow. Vamos Rafa!
Very happy for Rafa for this win. Raonic is a tough opponent especially when his big serve is clicking. Raonic has certainly improved his FH and BH and his game overall. I thought before this match that Rafa may lose to Raonic in three sets; but Rafa has played reasonably well to beat Raonic.
Goffin is playing very well now and I think he will be an even tougher opponent as he’s very aggressive, takes the ball early and steps inside the court so often, taking time away from his opponent. I hope Rafa beats him; this will be their first meeting.
VAMOS SWEETHEART!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) Congratulations on your beautiful victory and solid stride and amamzing match!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) Lots of love dear Rafa & have a great evening and a beautiful tomorrow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) ci….ci….ci…..ci…..ci…..ci…..& CI…..: ) It will be a great match for you and we will be here watching you groove and slide and glide LIVE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) Have lots & lots & lots of fun and enjoy everything !!!!!!! : ) VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : )
GRACIAS , Yo feliz mirando numeritos en tweets …… y ganó !!!!!