Nine-time champion Rafael Nadal has booked his place in the quarter-finals of the Monte Carlo Masters courtesy of a straight-sets victory over birthday boy Alexander Zverev.
Rafa saw off the 2o-year-old 6-1, 6-1 in just 68 minutes to book his place in another ATP World Tour Masters 1000 quarter-final.
Rafa will face either Jan-Lennard Struff or Diego Schwartzman for a place in the semi-finals.
Rafael Nadal of Spain in action during his third round match against Alexander Zverev of Germany on day 5 of the Monte Carlo Rolex Masters Series at Monte-Carlo Sporting Club on April 20, 2017 in Monte-Carlo, Monaco. (April 19, 2017 – Source: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images Europe)
A general view during the third round match between Rafael Nadal of Spain and Alexander Zverev of Germany on day 5 of the Monte Carlo Rolex Masters Series at Monte-Carlo Sporting Club on April 20, 2017 in Monte-Carlo, Monaco. (April 19, 2017 – Source: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images Europe)
Rafael Nadal of Spain in action during his third round match against Alexander Zverev of Germany on day 5 of the Monte Carlo Rolex Masters Series at Monte-Carlo Sporting Club on April 20, 2017 in Monte-Carlo, Monaco. (April 19, 2017 – Source: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images Europe)
Rafael Nadal of Spain in action during his third round match against Alexander Zverev of Germany on day 5 of the Monte Carlo Rolex Masters Series at Monte-Carlo Sporting Club on April 20, 2017 in Monte-Carlo, Monaco. (April 19, 2017 – Source: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images Europe)
Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates to the crowd after his straight sets victory against Alexander Zverev of Germany in his third round match on day five of the Monte Carlo Rolex Masters at Monte-Carlo Sporting Club on April 20, 2017 in Monte-Carlo, Monaco. (April 19, 2017 – Source: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images Europe)
Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates to the crowd after his straight sets victory against Alexander Zverev of Germany in his third round match on day five of the Monte Carlo Rolex Masters at Monte-Carlo Sporting Club on April 20, 2017 in Monte-Carlo, Monaco. (April 19, 2017 – Source: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images Europe)
Spain’s Rafael Nadal (R) celebrates after victory on German Alexander Zverev after their match at the Monte-Carlo ATP Masters Series tennis tournament on April 20, 2017 in Monaco. / AFP PHOTO / Yann COATSALIOU (April 19, 2017 – Source: AFP)
Spain’s Rafael Nadal celebrates after victory on German Alexander Zverev after their match at the Monte-Carlo ATP Masters Series tennis tournament on April 20, 2017 in Monaco. / AFP PHOTO / Yann COATSALIOU (April 19, 2017 – Source: AFP)
Spain’s Rafael Nadal celebrates after victory on German Alexander Zverev after their match at the Monte-Carlo ATP Masters Series tennis tournament on April 20, 2017 in Monaco. / AFP PHOTO / Yann COATSALIOU (April 19, 2017 – Source: AFP)
Vamos Rafa, suprised with the win after yesterday.
It seems that Stan, Andy and Novak have all gone off the boil – although novak is still in the final set, he’s definitely not as imperious as he once was. It happens to them all I suppose – I’m hoping Rafa has been there and got through it and will not return and is on the rise – just like Federer!
Well, well, well! A courageous second set from CB. Novak can’t use the sun as an excuse in this last set. Hang on CB!!!
Carreno Busta not vista
Yes Carreno Vista has taken the second set against Novak
rafa est juste génial 👑👑👑👑félicitations à notre champion 👏👍👌❤❤❤❤
Is it to much to hope for that 3 Spaniard’s might advance to the next round. I’m keeping my fingers crossed . Come on Carreno Busta
oops… (auto spell came out consultative….) of course meant to write “congratulatory” comment…..
VAMOS SWEETHEART !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) I have already made a consultative comment in previous section…..and feel so thrilled for you so here once again……Big, massive congratulations on your classy victory 6:1 6:1 !!!!! : ) It was a fantastic match…… short & sweet win!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) BTW, I KNEW 100% YOU WOULD WIN !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) YOU HAVE THE GOODS SWEETHEART !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) OH YEH….wi….wi….Misyeh……VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) : )
I ENJOY WATCHING SACHA play & seeing him COMING UP IN THE RANKS…He, along with his brother Misha & parents are earning every bit of their efforts and hard work. They are adding a lot of goodness to the Tennis over all atmosphere.
*Happy Twentieth Birthday dear Sacha ! : ) Have fun and trust you are already a great strong player and will have many more opportunities to shine.
Have a beautiful evening dear Rafa & MILK IT ALL JOYFULLY with THE TEAM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) We love you & very happy for you!!!!!!! : ) GO RAFA GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 🙂 : ) : ) : ) VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : )
Brilliant match – I’m trilled 😁❤️ VAMOS RAFA! 🎾💪🏼🍀
loved the aggression today from Rafa, Sascha has been taught a lesson by the master that will do him well in his future career.
That’s the Rafa that I’m use to watching, the demoralizing blows that he puts on his opponents causes em to give it up, and bust their rackets,,
Vamos Rafa! Another trophy awaits you! 😉
That should have been a tennis racket but came out as a ball. Duh!
Great result for Rafa, happy birthday to Alexander ,i wonder how many of his presents will be 🎾 Lol
Love it look good job well done. Keep it up.
As usual Rafa improves as the tournament goes on.
Looking forward to another clay court title for Rafa. Vamos
Rafael, we recognize you today. Efficient and focussed-stay healthy, keep rolling
in beautiful MC😍👍💪👏👏👏👊👊👊👊👑❣️
Greetings, fellow Canuck
Great win for Rafa today!
I thought Nadal was finished according to a person who commented yesterday.
Yes Keith a couple of people predicted a straight set loss. Just the support that rafa needs – not!!!
Yes, Keith, but some people love to wallow in negativity. There are two ways to look at any situation but unfortunately some only ever see the one side and that is the gloomy one. Rafa has been through good times and he has been through bad times but why only dwell on the bad and make one’s assumptions only on those.?
One was even so gifted as to detail the losing score set by set.
Extremely prescient!
Another seems to know exactly when Nadal should retire permanently. Genius!
A fine lesson from the King. I think we might assume that clay is not Zverev’s favourite surface. (Or that he celebrated his birthday a little vigorously last night.)
I am thrilled Rafa won, but never expected the score. I totally agree Sascha did not show up today. It shows that you just never know. Rafa looked great today. Sascha will have many other chances.