Rafael Nadal reached his second final of the year by beating Marin Cilic 6-1, 6-2 at the Mexican Open. He saved all seven break points he has faced during the match and improved his career record over Croat to 4-1 thanks to Friday’s victory which was sealed in one hour and 25 minutes. A two-time champion at the tournament, Rafa now holds a 14-0 win-loss record in Acapulco.
After the match, Rafa said:
You need to have a great day to get a result like this against Cilic. Anytime you play against someone like Cilic you expect to suffer in a tight match, but it was not like that. I believe that he had his chances, but I played a good game. (via AP)
This will be Rafa’s 103rd career singles final. He has won 69 titles. Rafa won his last trophy 11 months ago on clay in Barcelona.
Our champ plays Australian Nick Kyrgios or American Sam Querrey in the final on Saturday.
Photo: José Méndez
Tennis – Mexican Open – Men’s Singles – Semi-Final – Acapulco, Mexico- 03/03/17. Spain’s Rafael Nadal in action against Croatia’s Marin Cilic. REUTERS/Henry Romero
Tennis – Mexican Open – Men’s Singles – Semi-Final – Acapulco, Mexico- 03/03/17. Spain’s Rafael Nadal in action against Croatia’s Marin Cilic. REUTERS/Henry Romero
Tennis – Mexican Open – Men’s Singles – Semi-Final – Acapulco, Mexico- 03/03/17. Spain’s Rafael Nadal in action against Croatia’s Marin Cilic. REUTERS/Henry Romero
Spain’s Rafael Nadal serves to Croatia’s Marini Cilic during a semifinal match of the Mexican Tennis Open in Acapulco, Mexico, Friday March 3, 2017. (AP Photo/Enric Marti)
Spain’s Rafael Nadal serves to Croatia’s Marini Cilic during a semifinal match of the Mexican Tennis Open in Acapulco, Mexico, Friday, March 3, 2017. (AP Photo/Enric Marti)
Spain’s Rafael Nadal returns the ball to Croatia’s Marini Cilic during a semifinal match of the Mexican Tennis Open in Acapulco, Mexico, Friday, March 3, 2017. (AP Photo/Enric Marti)
Tennis – Mexican Open – Men’s Singles – Semi-Final – Acapulco, Mexico- 03/03/17. Spain’s Rafael Nadal in action against Croatia’s Marin Cilic. REUTERS/Henry Romero
Spain’s Rafael Nadal plays a return to Croatia’s Marini Cilic during a semifinal match of the Mexican Tennis Open in Acapulco, Mexico, Friday March 3, 2017. (AP Photo/Enric Marti)
Spain’s Rafael Nadal returns to Croatia’s Marini Cilic during a semifinal match of the Mexican Tennis Open in Acapulco, Mexico, Friday March 3, 2017. (AP Photo/Enric Marti)
Tennis – Mexican Open – Men’s Singles – Semi-Final – Acapulco, Mexico- 03/03/17. Spain’s Rafael Nadal in action against Croatia’s Marin Cilic. REUTERS/Henry Romero
El tenista español Rafael Nadal reclama un punto ante el croata Marin Cilic hoy, viernes 3 de marzo de 2017, durante un partido de semifinales del Abierto Mexicano de Tenis, disputado en el puerto de Acapulco (México). José Méndez
Tennis – Mexican Open – Men’s Singles – Semi-Final – Acapulco, Mexico- 03/03/17. Spain’s Rafael Nadal celebrates his victory against Croatia’s Marin Cilic. REUTERS/Henry Romero
Tennis – Mexican Open – Men’s Singles – Semi-Final – Acapulco, Mexico- 03/03/17. Spain’s Rafael Nadal celebrates his victory against Croatia’s Marin Cilic. REUTERS/Henry Romero
Spain’s Rafael Nadal celebrates after defeating Croatia’s Marini Cilic during a semifinal match of the Mexican Tennis Open in Acapulco, Mexico, Friday, March 3, 2017. (AP Photo/Enric Marti)
Spain’s Rafael Nadal celebrates after defeating Croatia’s Marini Cilic during a semifinal match of the Mexican Tennis Open in Acapulco, Mexico, Friday, March 3, 2017. (AP Photo/Enric Marti)
Tennis – Mexican Open – Men’s Singles – Semi-Final – Acapulco, Mexico- 03/03/17. Spain’s Rafael Nadal celebrates his victory against Croatia’s Marin Cilic. REUTERS/Henry Romero
Tennis – Mexican Open – Men’s Singles – Semi-Final – Acapulco, Mexico- 03/03/17. Spain’s Rafael Nadal celebrates his victory against Croatia’s Marin Cilic. REUTERS/Henry Romero
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I do not call that a match… Sorry but Cilic looked like he had a hangover. Turns out that his ankle was hurt and he could not move to the right. Rafa didn’t have to do much to get through that one. A win is a win but honestly Cilic should have retired!
Rafa CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR GREAT PLAY,
and may you do really well in the final.
I didn’t see the match but it sounds as though it was fantastic.
Love and prayers for your game against Sam Equerry,
then onto “Indian Wells,
Love and Prayers,
AlaineXXSydneyXXAustraliaXX
your really back on top of the game,hope you do well this morning,will watch you tomorrow,love you lots vamos rafa.
YES!! 😃👍🏻 Very happy for you sweet Rafa 🤗❤️ Amazing and so much deserved. – Congratulations and all the best of luck in the finals 😘🍀😊💗
VAMOOOS CHAMP!! 🎾💪🏼💖🏆😍
Great Guns of Fire. Congrats. Rafa. I pray you continue to play at your highest level tomorrow. God bless you. Your Aussie Abuela Nan Shirley. ⏳👑😀😊😇
Amazing what Rafa played today. So happy for him <3
Rafa played superb tennis today, truly vintage Nadal. He seems to have regained his confidence and is going for his shots.
Have just seen that Querry defeated Kyrgios in his semi-final so the final will be a Nadal/Querry one.
Querry has played very well this tournament so he will be no pushover. Rafa will need to keep his guard up and not relax because he has always beaten Querry ( at least I think he has ).
In any case I hope to see Rafa lift the trophy to-morrow.
Then on to Indian Wells.
It is great to see that the knee strapping has not been seen in either today’s or yesterday’s matches.
I’m so pleased with Rafa today. He really learnt his “lesson” from yesterday – there’s little to no room for being hesistant now even against the 100th rank players. Being aggressive and confident is the way 💪🏻.
Congratulations to Rafa all the fans! Rest well then play a fantastic final at your “lucky charm” tournament like you did in 2005 and 2013! 🍀🎾💪🏻🏆
Congrats, Rafael. Such a delight to see you enjoying yourself on court.💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪❤️👏👏👏👏👏👏👏
Superb game by Rafa today, he seems to be very close to his best, vamos!!!!!!!!!
Rafa played as well today as he did poorly yesterday! Some of his shots will be on the highlight reels. It must be stated that Cilic was injured, but Rafa would not have been beaten tonight even by an inform Cilic. He served well and had few UFEs. Here is hoping Rafa can get his 70th victory tomorrow!!!