Four-time champion Rafael Nadal defeated Australian bad boy Nick Kyrgios 6-3, 6-1 to advance to the Madrid Open quarter-finals.
Our champ was in control during his service games. He broke Kyrgios once in the first set and three times in the second to complete victory in one hour, 12 minutes on centre court in the Spanish capital.
Rafa will play David Goffin, a 6-4, 6-2 winner over Canadian Milos Raonic, in the last eight.
Rafael Nadal of Spain in action in his match against Nick Kyrgios of Australia during day six of the Mutua Madrid Open tennis at La Caja Magica on May 11, 2017 in Madrid, Spain. (May 10, 2017 – Source: Julian Finney/Getty Images Europe)
Rafael Nadal of Spain in action in his match against Nick Kyrgios of Australia during day six of the Mutua Madrid Open tennis at La Caja Magica on May 11, 2017 in Madrid, Spain. (May 10, 2017 – Source: Julian Finney/Getty Images Europe)
Rafael Nadal of Spain in action in his match against Nick Kyrgios of Australia during day six of the Mutua Madrid Open tennis at La Caja Magica on May 11, 2017 in Madrid, Spain. (May 10, 2017 – Source: Julian Finney/Getty Images Europe)
Rafael Nadal of Spain in action in his match against Nick Kyrgios of Australia during day six of the Mutua Madrid Open tennis at La Caja Magica on May 11, 2017 in Madrid, Spain. (May 10, 2017 – Source: Julian Finney/Getty Images Europe)
Rafael Nadal of Spain in action in his match against Nick Kyrgios of Australia during day six of the Mutua Madrid Open tennis at La Caja Magica on May 11, 2017 in Madrid, Spain. (May 10, 2017 – Source: Julian Finney/Getty Images Europe)
Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates a point in his match against Nick Kyrgios of Australia during day six of the Mutua Madrid Open tennis at La Caja Magica on May 11, 2017 in Madrid, Spain. (May 10, 2017 – Source: Julian Finney/Getty Images Europe)
Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates defeating Nick Kyrgios of Australia during day six of the Mutua Madrid Open tennis at La Caja Magica on May 11, 2017 in Madrid, Spain. (May 10, 2017 – Source: Julian Finney/Getty Images Europe)
Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates defeating Nick Kyrgios of Australia during day six of the Mutua Madrid Open tennis at La Caja Magica on May 11, 2017 in Madrid, Spain. (May 10, 2017 – Source: Julian Finney/Getty Images Europe)
Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates defeating Nick Kyrgios of Australia during day six of the Mutua Madrid Open tennis at La Caja Magica on May 11, 2017 in Madrid, Spain. (May 10, 2017 – Source: Julian Finney/Getty Images Europe)
Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates beating Nick Kyrgios of Australia on day six of the Mutua Madrid Open tennis at La Caja Magica on May 11, 2017 in Madrid, Spain. (May 10, 2017 – Source: Clive Rose/Getty Images Europe)
Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates beating Nick Kyrgios of Australia on day six of the Mutua Madrid Open tennis at La Caja Magica on May 11, 2017 in Madrid, Spain. (May 10, 2017 – Source: Clive Rose/Getty Images Europe)
Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates beating Nick Kyrgios of Australia on day six of the Mutua Madrid Open tennis at La Caja Magica on May 11, 2017 in Madrid, Spain. (May 10, 2017 – Source: Clive Rose/Getty Images Europe)
Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates defeating Nick Kyrgios of Australia during day six of the Mutua Madrid Open tennis at La Caja Magica on May 11, 2017 in Madrid, Spain. (May 10, 2017 – Source: Julian Finney/Getty Images Europe)
Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates defeating Nick Kyrgios of Australia during day six of the Mutua Madrid Open tennis at La Caja Magica on May 11, 2017 in Madrid, Spain. (May 10, 2017 – Source: Julian Finney/Getty Images Europe)
Nick Kyrgios of Australia leaves the court after his straight sets loss as Rafael Nadal of Spain applauds him off during day six of the Mutua Madrid Open tennis at La Caja Magica on May 11, 2017 in Madrid, Spain. (May 10, 2017 – Source: Julian Finney/Getty Images Europe)
Great first set Rafa, Come out fighting in the second your victory is right around the corner 🌞
Congratulooations Rafa and allo the best for playing David next,]
Love and Prayers,]]
]
Alaine,
]
SydneyXXAustraliaXXAustraliaXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Braravo!!!!!!!!Rafa campeon d campepnes…ADELANTE!!!!!!
Rafa congratulations in your win .good job don vamossssssssssssss champ .you can do it.🎾🎾🎾🎾👍👍🌹🌹👍👍🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸❤️😃
Rafa had a flawless performance today. Kyrgios looked to be hampered by a hip injury, but that is out of Rafa’s control. If Rafa can continue to play aggressive tennis like today, good things will continue to happen. Goffin will certainly play better tomorrow, but Rafa will be ready!
So happy for Rafa and his commanding performance today. Onwards and upwards. Vamos!
Great focus, a confident win. Good luck in next round!👊💪👍🏆❣️
Rafa on the match:
“I think I served very well and committed very few errors. I think I made a step forward compared to yesterday. To be able to win 6-3, 6-1 is great news.”
I think my backhand was good today and my forehand was there. I think I have some margin to do it even better tomorrow and step forward. Hopefully I will make it to the next round. Tomorrow is a day I have to be ready and give my best.”
🙂
That was astonishing.
We all expected more of a threat from Kyrgios–it leaves me wondering if it’s just how he looks against Rafa on clay, or he was also playing somewhat below his best due to the loss of this grandfather, which the commies kept mentioning.
One thing was clear–he came out firing, looked really good till he was broke in his 2nd service game, then never recovered. He just got worse and worse, and Rafa-better and better.
So wonderful to witness that.
Rafa is re-establishing his absolute supremacy on clay. I am hoping that the confidence regained on this surface might translate onto HC, circa 2013.
Now the Belgian and then time to break the Novak spell!!!
Good job Rafa
VAMOS SWEETHEART!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) Wi…….Wi……Wi….&…Ci…….Ci…….Ci……DEAR RAFA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) Congratulations on YOUR both AMAZING victories!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) ACES ….&…. ACES …..& ….. BEAUTIFUL RETURNS …..& RAFA BRAND FEISTY FIGHTING………..FINESSE…..&….. PASSIONATE LOVE FOR THE GAME ……….. !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) SO EXCITING SWEETHEART!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) SUCH FANTASTIC TWO MATCHES with so much CLASSY Tennis & your solid RAFA DELIVERY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) We love you Rafa!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) LOVE EVERYTHING ABOUT YOUR PLAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 🙂 WE LOVE WATCHING YOUR BEAUTIFUL TENNIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) YOUR COURT INSTINCTS ARE SIMPLY OUTSTANDING…….A NATURAL GIFT YOU HAVE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) Very happy for you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) ENJOY EVERYTHING!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) 🙂 : ) Loved how patient you were in yesterday’s match and how forceful you were today……your intelligence on the court is BRILLIANT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) Loved how you opened with a sharp classy ACE today!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) Brought huge smiles!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) 🙂 : ) : ) : ) ci….ci….ci…senior!!!!! : ) In both matches there were SO MANY GREAT NET MOMENTS & SHARP STUNNING RETURNS…..PLUS….. YOUR SERVE IS SO INCREDIBLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) ; ) : ) : ) 🙂 : ) : ) : ) VAMOS SWEETHEART & we sing : GO RAFA GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) Have a a great evening & a beautiful tomorrow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) It will be another fun day for TENNIS and it will be great match!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) 🙂 : ) : ) Have a good time & lots & lots of fun playing !!!!! : ) It will be a great match for you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) Enjoy it all and have fun celebrating YOUR BEAUTIFUL VICTORIES with THE TEAM !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : )
Good night and sweet dreams sweetheart!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) Lots of love & happiness & VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!: ) ps: I was so mesmerized by your match that I was late picking up my son from school…..but he did not mind…..he was thrilled you won! : )
Awesome match Rafa 😘👍🏻
Congratulations and good luck at the quaterfinals tommorow 🍀❤️😃
Oh Happy Day!!!Go Rafa Go😁
I love it when Rafa beats Nick…
This young guy needs to know who is Boss
And that’s RAFA.
Congratulations RAFA.
Rafa, another CONGRATULATIONS👏🎾to you. So pleased with your quick match over Nick. 😂😂
Have another win tomorrow on me.
RAFA ROCKS
Felicidades mi Rafa eres increible me encanta tu juego, lo disfruto punto tras punto
TIENES QUE UNIRTE A LOS XMEN !!!
Well, that was efficient! Upwards and onwards, Rafa!
Great match today. Much better than yesterday. Good luck for tomorrow. Vamos Rafa <3
David Goffin next – a rematch to sort out once and for all that terrible call. David is playing very well so it should be a good one – potentially
Keep it all crossed for tomorrow Susie, it’s working a treat.
I’m excited about the goffin match later maria. I’m hoping Rafa is still riding high on his ever increasing confidence. Let’s hope so
Sort out? Please refer to the second-set score; there is your winner. No question about it.
RAFA TOPPLES GOFFIN!
My main man has done get once again !
Congratulations Rafa !
I Love my Rafa !
😙😚😗😍😘
💜💛💚💙❤
#teamrafa #rafaaddict
#rafafanatic
#simplyrafa
#loveyourafa
#vamosrafa
Just awesome 😊
Brilliant win for rafa who played well but nick was very subdued in that match which took away some potential excitement of the match. But a great result no matter what and more and more confidence for rafa!
Yes, I noticed the subdued thing too.
He did not seem fully present. I don’t know if that was his reaction to getting stomped out so early, or about his grandfather.
Probably both.
He did a bit of that head shaking thing he does, implying that he could somehow be doing better than he is. It’s kind of disrespectful to the other player, when getting stomped like that.
Hi rafalite – someone said nick may have a hip issue but that’s not been verified anywhere. Anyway whatever it was, Rafa got through nicely. Excited to see the goffin match later – now that potentially should be exciting to watch. I would like to see rafa in a position of playing at his high level against a tricky player who is also playing his best. That would be the best way to assess where rafa is at.