Two-time champion Rafael Nadal overcame a slow start against Yoshihito Nishioka of Japan before winning 7-6(2), 6-3 and advancing to his second semifinal of the season at the Mexican Open on Thursday.
Rafa star overcame a 4-2 deficit in the first set and got out of a 0-2 hole in the second.
After the match, Rafa said:
Every game here is special. I did not play my best tennis but that’s why it has a merit. I played great the previous rounds and today I was able to get over a tough situation. I’m happy to be in the semifinals, that’s great news. (via AP)
He will face third seed Marin Cilic in the final four of the hard-court event in Acapulco.
Rafa improves to 11-2 on the season.
ennis – Mexican Open – Men’s Singles – Quarter-Final – Acapulco, Mexico- 02/03/17. Spain’s Rafael Nadal in action against Yoshihito Nishioka of Japan. REUTERS/Henry Romero
Tennis – Mexican Open – Men’s Singles – Quarter-Final – Acapulco, Mexico- 02/03/17. Spain’s Rafael Nadal in action against Yoshihito Nishioka of Japan. REUTERS/Henry Romero
Spain’s Rafael Nadal plays a return to Japan’s Yoshihito Nishioka during a quarterfinal match at the Mexican Tennis Open in Acapulco, Mexico, Thursday, March 2, 2017. (AP Photo/Enric Marti)
El español Rafael Nadal celebra un punto ante el japonés Yoshihito Nishioka hoy, jueves 2 de marzo de 2017, en un partido de cuartos de final del Abierto Mexicano de Tenis, en Acapulco (México). EFE/José Méndez
Tennis – Mexican Open – Men’s Singles – Quarter-Final – Acapulco, Mexico- 02/03/17. Spain’s Rafael Nadal in action against Yoshihito Nishioka of Japan. REUTERS/Henry Romero
Tennis – Mexican Open – Men’s Singles – Quarter-Final – Acapulco, Mexico- 02/03/17. Spain’s Rafael Nadal in action against Yoshihito Nishioka of Japan. REUTERS/Henry Romero
Tennis – Mexican Open – Men’s Singles – Quarter-Final – Acapulco, Mexico- 02/03/17. Spain’s Rafael Nadal in action against Yoshihito Nishioka of Japan. REUTERS/Henry Romero
Spain’s Rafael Nadal celebrates during his quarterfinal match at the Mexican Tennis Open with Japan’s Yoshihito Nishioka in Acapulco, Mexico, Thursday, March 2, 2017. Nadal won the match. (AP Photo/Enric Marti)
Spain’s Rafael Nadal, right, greets Japan’s Yoshihito Nishioka after defeating him in a quarterfinal match during the Mexican Tennis Open in Acapulco, Mexico, Thursday, March 2, 2017. (AP Photo/Enric Marti)
Spain’s Rafael Nadal, right, greets Japan’s Yoshihito Nishioka after their quarterfinal match at the Mexican Tennis Open in Acapulco, Mexico, Thursday, March 2, 2017. Nadal won the match. (AP Photo/Enric Marti)
Tennis – Mexican Open – Men’s Singles – Quarter-Final – Acapulco, Mexico- 02/03/17. Spain’s Rafael Nadal celebrates his victory against Yoshihito Nishioka of Japan. REUTERS/Henry Romero
Tennis – Mexican Open – Men’s Singles – Quarter-Final – Acapulco, Mexico- 02/03/17. Spain’s Rafael Nadal celebrates his victory against Yoshihito Nishioka of Japan. REUTERS/Henry Romero
Tennis – Mexican Open – Men’s Singles – Quarter-Final – Acapulco, Mexico- 02/03/17. Spain’s Rafael Nadal celebrates his victory against Yoshihito Nishioka of Japan. REUTERS/Henry Romero
ennis – Mexican Open – Men’s Singles – Quarter-Final – Acapulco, Mexico- 02/03/17. Spain’s Rafael Nadal celebrates his victory against Yoshihito Nishioka of Japan. REUTERS/Henry Romero
Tennis – Mexican Open – Men’s Singles – Quarter-Final – Acapulco, Mexico- 02/03/17. Spain’s Rafael Nadal celebrates his victory against Yoshihito Nishioka of Japan. REUTERS/Henry Romero
Spain’s Rafael Nadal greets the crowd after defeating Japan’s Yoshihito Nishioka in a quarterfinal match during the Mexican Tennis Open in Acapulco, Mexico, Thursday, March 2, 2017. (AP Photo/Bernandino Hernandez)
Vamos our Champ! Still have to watch the match as recorded with time difference.
Tough match, Rafa fought and won in straight sets. Good luck against Cilic. Vamos Rafa <3
Contrats Rafa you are the best , you are my number one , i have no doubt you will make it to the final . i wish u the best the champion of champions.
Forever yours.
Congratulations Rafa sweetheart and all the best of luck in the semis ❤️🍀 You can do it champ 🤗😘
VAMOOOS!! 🎾💪🏼
Vamosssssss Rafa !!!
I wonder if Rafa has ever tried to serve with his right arm. As a natural right hander, it might give him more power.
Congrats Rafa. I pray you are back in your AO form for the Semi, n go on to win the Finals! Vamos Rafael my boy. God Bless you. Your Aussie Abuela Nan Shirley. ⏳👑🎈🎈😀😊😇
I think he had a bad day! He didn’t play bad, but made too many enforced errors! He has to improve his serve! Overall Rafa played well and had some great shots! His level dropped a little bit, comparing to his level in Australia! Vamos Rafa, you can beat them all!!
OLA & VAMOS DEAR RAFA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) Good evening sweetheart!!!! : ) Very happy for you with your win tonight!!!! : ) You found a way re setting your groove and regain your FUN FEELING !!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) YOU know exactly that all is well !!!!! : ) : ) : ) VAMOS SWEETHEART FOR HANGING IN AND TRUSTING YOUR SOLID SERVE, TIE BREAK, AND AMAZING RETURNS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) YOU KNEW all along that you could do it!!!!! : ) VAMOS & ENJOY EVERYTHING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) ESPECIALLY THE FACT THAT YOU HELD YOUR BEAUTIFUL TENNIS ALL ALONG…..iffy rough phases come and go and your passion and blessed energy and TENNIS ARE ALL SOLID AS A ROCK !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) …..YOU CAN TAKE THIS 2 SETS VICTORY AS A BLESSING SHOWING YOU YOUR STRENGTH AND HOW YOU CAN PREVAIL IN ALL CONDITIONS. VAMOS SWEETHEART & FEEL MIGHTY PROUD OF YOUR GOD GIVEN TALENT & FITNESS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!: ) ENJOY EVERYTHING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) Have a beautiful evening and a fantastic day tomorrow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) Enjoy lots & lots of fun playing!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) It will be a GREAT MATCH FOR YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) YOU are so incredibly fit and you have all it takes to make this a competitive great exchange!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) Have a nice night and CELEBRATE !!!!!!!!!!! : ) Enjoy a long massage and know we are all here enjoying your efforts and beautiful TENNIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) Lots of love sweetheart, and PLEASE…..to balance the body , make sure you sleep extra hour tonight….that’s all….very important to recharge and fuel with joy and relaxation!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) ; ) : ) ; ) HAVE FUN tomorrow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) Good night & sweet dreams!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) ; ) VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : )
He won! A win is a win. No matter how you get there. Rooting for Rafa.
The two good things are that Rafa won and he was not wearing a bandage. Rafa had too many UFEs, DFs and looked out of sorts. He may just have had a bad day or so I hope.