On Thursday, Rafael Nadal will play his quarter-final match at the Mexican Open against world No. 86 Yoshihito Nishioka, who eliminated Aussie Jordan Thompson in three sets.
Date: March 2, 2017
Match time: Around 6 PM local time / 7 PM EST – New York, Montreal / midnight – United Kingdom / Friday 1 AM CET – Spain, France, Germany, Italy / Friday 11 AM AEDT – Melbourne. To convert to your local time, use this website.
Rafa and Nishioka have never faced each other on the ATP World Tour previously.
Rafa on facing Nishioka:
It will be something new for both of us, so surprises or no surprises we all (the players) know each other’s game here. He has been playing very well during the whole tournament, he has worked his way up, he has won 4 consecutive matches so he’s feeling confident. He doesn’t make mistakes, therefore I’ll have to be ready and stay focused and with high intensity.
The Japanese, who has won two ATP Challenger Tour titles (2014 Shanghai, 2015 Toyota), reached his first ATP World Tour quarter-final at Delray Beach (l. to Tomic) last year. The 21-year-old is competing in his first ever ATP 500 quarter-final while Rafa is gunning for his third Acapulco crown this week.
GOOD LUCK & VAMOS RAFA!
Was hoping for a Nadal-del Potro final because just as I suspected, Nole didn’t even make it to the semi-final. Del Potro and Rafa may yet get to challenge each other in the near future.
Too many wimps here cringing at the mere thought of Rafa meeting up with Nole. It is bound to happen, sooner than later, providing both players stay motivated and healthy. And, when they do meet, Rafa will show Nole the exit.
I just think a Rafa-del Potro match would be a lot more interesting, with a lot less “drama,” and a lot more professionalism that these two injury-prone warriors exhibit.
RAFA ROCKS
VAMOS SWEETHEART!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) Beautiful aces and good holding!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) You are leading the 1st set with your sheer determination and stride!!!!! : ) It is OK to have some iffy moments….no big deal …the main beauty is that you came back strong and found a way to over come everything!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) YOu are blessed dear Rafa and all is well!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) 🙂 BIG CHEERS & Lots of love sweetheart and VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) You are the stronger player !!!!! : ) GO RAFA GO !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) You are sp good at tie break and you are so good on hard court!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) ci…..ci……ci…..& triple CI !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : )
I’m really surprised at the number of empty seats. Rafa usually attracts a very large crowd. Maybe they’ll filter in later. Oh no a double fault. Cmon rafa!
Vamos Rafa buena suerte
Best of luck Rafa. You’ve done great so far so just keep moving forward. You are a winner.
RAFA ROCKS
It’s not Rafa but if you want to watch a brilliant match the Murray/Kohlschrelber match is worth a look
Good luck and Vamos Rafa.
Good luck tonight Rafa , midnight is better than 1.30 to watch you play . The Novak / Nick game will be interesting , one who smashes rackets and the other who tells the crowd to shut the f..K up. Role models for the kids to look up to ,I think not. A Rafa/Novak final is looking highly likely ,I still think Rafa can win ,it will just come down to who’s in the right head space.
all the very best with your next match your ever loving fan vamos rafa,glennis.
Love to see how Rafa will move Ninja around. He’s really fast! At any rate, please continue to reserve your strength and knees, Rafa. Only two and a half days to go. Vamos! 💪🏻🎾🏆