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