Rafael Nadal has earned a spot in the quarter-finals of the Brisbane International tennis tournament. After just 55 minutes, he scored a 6-1, 6-1 victory against German Mischa Zverev on Thursday.
According to ATP, Rafa lost 12 points in each set – including eight points on serve overall.
Rafa, ranked 9th in the world, will next face world No. 3 Milos Raonic in this tune-up up for the Australian Open which begins on Jan. 16.
After the match, Rafa said:
It’s so special to be back… It means everything to me. … I hope to play my best (against Raonic).
Our champ beat Raonic in an exhibition match last week in Abu Dhabi and has a 6-1 lead in career head-to-head meetings.
BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 05: Rafael Nadal of Spain plays a forehand during his quarter final match against Mischa Zverev of Germany during day five of the 2017 Brisbane International at Pat Rafter Arena on January 5, 2017 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 05: Rafael Nadal of Spain plays a forehand during his quarter final match against Mischa Zverev of Germany during day five of the 2017 Brisbane International at Pat Rafter Arena on January 5, 2017 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 05: Rafael Nadal of Spain plays a forehand during his quarter final match against Mischa Zverev of Germany during day five of the 2017 Brisbane International at Pat Rafter Arena on January 5, 2017 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 05: Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates a point during his quarter final match against Mischa Zverev of Germany during day five of the 2017 Brisbane International at Pat Rafter Arena on January 5, 2017 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 05: Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates a point during his quarter final match against Mischa Zverev of Germany during day five of the 2017 Brisbane International at Pat Rafter Arena on January 5, 2017 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 05: Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates winning his quarter final match against Mischa Zverev of Germany during day five of the 2017 Brisbane International at Pat Rafter Arena on January 5, 2017 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 05: Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates winning his quarter final match against Mischa Zverev of Germany during day five of the 2017 Brisbane International at Pat Rafter Arena on January 5, 2017 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 05: Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates winning his quarter final match against Mischa Zverev of Germany during day five of the 2017 Brisbane International at Pat Rafter Arena on January 5, 2017 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 05: Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates winning his quarter final match against Mischa Zverev of Germany during day five of the 2017 Brisbane International at Pat Rafter Arena on January 5, 2017 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 05: Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates winning his quarter final match against Mischa Zverev of Germany during day five of the 2017 Brisbane International at Pat Rafter Arena on January 5, 2017 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates winning his quarter final match against Mischa Zverev of Germany during day five of the 2017 Brisbane International at Pat Rafter Arena on January 5, 2017 in Brisbane, Australia. (Jan. 4, 2017 – Source: Chris Hyde/Getty Images AsiaPac)
Rafael Nadal of Spain signs autographs after winning his quarter final match against Mischa Zverev of Germany during day five of the 2017 Brisbane International at Pat Rafter Arena on January 5, 2017 in Brisbane, Australia. (Jan. 4, 2017 – Source: Chris Hyde/Getty Images AsiaPac)
Rafael Nadal of Spain signs autographs after winning his quarter final match against Mischa Zverev of Germany during day five of the 2017 Brisbane International at Pat Rafter Arena on January 5, 2017 in Brisbane, Australia. (Jan. 4, 2017 – Source: Chris Hyde/Getty Images AsiaPac)
Rafael Nadal of Spain signs autographs after winning his quarter final match against Mischa Zverev of Germany during day five of the 2017 Brisbane International at Pat Rafter Arena on January 5, 2017 in Brisbane, Australia. (Jan. 4, 2017 – Source: Chris Hyde/Getty Images AsiaPac)
Rafa congratulations you now you can do it best luck for tomorrow .vamosssssssssssssss allthe way ,2017. This is your year for shure.🎾🎾🎾🎾🎾🎾🎾🎾🎾🎾🎾🎾🎾🎾🎾🎾🎾🎾🎾🎾🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸👍👍👍😔👍👍👍👍❤️
Rafa may have already won his QF against Milos.
While I enjoyed reading and hearing the accolades paid to Rafa after his Sverev win; superlative, flawless, a tennis clinic, my favorite was by Milos himself.
Asked what only opponents really know about the relentless Nadal, Raonic said: “It’s the weight of someone’s constant effort can have on a person. It goes a long way and seeing he’s been doing it for some time it takes a toll on players before they start, them knowing the constant effort he’s going to put forth [in the match].” [Paul Malone, 1/6/2017, 12:02am]
Believe in yourself Rafa because others do.
RAFA ROCKS
Wow! One of the best and dominating matches I’ve seen Rafa play in recent years! 30 winners vs. 7 unforced errors in two short sets? A dream for us Rafa fans! Stay healthy, hungry, and focused, the best is yet to come! Love your passion, your fighting spirit, your humbleness, and your smile!
Forever your fan.
What an astounding performance from our champion of champions, Rafa Nadal!!!
He was so spectacularly brutal, totally demolishing Mischa under 60 mins!!! Wow!!!
If he continues at this rate, he’s likely to end up biting all the 4 GS trophies this year. We’d look forward to that or won’t we, Maria (England)?
But first he needs to do another brutal job tomorrow against the towering Canadian World No 3.
I predict another straight set victory, something like 7-5, 6-3. I’m sure the truthful Deep Thinker, uncompromising Nostradamus, the unblemished Prophet Speaks and ofcourse, the simply amazing Dr. Who will all agree with me.
But as always, we’ll see……..hmmmn
Great win, M. Zverev is one of the best among the siblings of top 20 atp players. He’s like the Venus Williams of men’s tennis, without any majors though.
WOOW Rafa left it all out there. Didn’t give Zverev any breathing space. So great to see Rafa being confident like this. Tomorrow should be a good test against Raonic. Keep this up Rafa!
Pure joy in these wins-we wish you nothing but the best-🤗🤗🤗👊👊👊
No fear, no faltering-continue on your journey👏👏👏💪💪💪👑🏆❤️
Looking forward to this season with Rafa back in the game,, but I also look forward to some improvement, not necessarily the physical part but mostly the Rafa Nadal mind set, Vamos Rafa,,
So wonderful to watch you playing….the joy you have hitting each ball…so happy that you are injury free!!!!! Love you Rafa
Wow, Rafa was awesome, but sadly Mischa was just overwhelmed. Rafa looks so focused, but he will need to serve better tomorrow. I am so encouraged by his play in Dubai and here. The fans just love him in Brisbane. I have to think that they will be rooting for him tomorrow too.
I agree with you re. the serve. He needs a greater percentage of first serves in to play Raonic. However his passing shots and placements were brilliant. He looked like the Rafa of old and seemed totally confident and in control. I am so happy for him.
Rafa, just repeat the game you played against Milos in Abu Dhabi and your soon have your hands on another trophy . Good luck 😀
Great performance. Good luck for the match against Raonic. You can do it. Vamos Rafa!
Way to go champ. Awesome victory. Looks like order is finally getting restored.
Good luck against Raonic.He is good but u are better muuuch muuuch better. ALL THE BEST
WHAT a performance! I was wrong, too pessimistic, too nervous. This was MAJESTIC and it took a load off my mind. Wow. Will rewatch this, and enjoy again. No next matches, no nothing, just want to enjoy. Happy heart!