Four-time champion Rafael Nadal advanced through to the final of the Madrid Open this afternoon courtesy of a 6-2, 6-4 victory over former world number one Novak Djokovic.
There was a huge difference between Rafa and his opponent from Serbia in the quality of tennis during the opening set in the Spanish capital. Djokovic started playing much better in the second set, but thankfully not good enough to steal Rafa’s momentum in front of his adoring Spanish fans.
Rafa won his last Madrid Open title in 2014 when Kei Nishikori retired hurt in the final, and our champ went on to claim a record-extending ninth French Open title. He will face either Dominic Thiem or Pablo Cuevas in Sunday’s final.
More to follow…
Rafael Nadal of Spain in action against Novak Djokovic of Serbia in the semi finals during day eight of the Mutua Madrid Open tennis at La Caja Magica on May 13, 2017 in Madrid, Spain. (May 12, 2017 – Source: Julian Finney/Getty Images Europe)
Rafael Nadal of Spain in action against Novak Djokovic of Serbia in the semi finals during day eight of the Mutua Madrid Open tennis at La Caja Magica on May 13, 2017 in Madrid, Spain. (May 12, 2017 – Source: Julian Finney/Getty Images Europe)
Rafael Nadal of Spain in action against Novak Djokovic of Serbia in the semi finals during day eight of the Mutua Madrid Open tennis at La Caja Magica on May 13, 2017 in Madrid, Spain. (May 12, 2017 – Source: Julian Finney/Getty Images Europe)
Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates a point against Novak Djokovic of Serbia in the semi finals during day eight of the Mutua Madrid Open tennis at La Caja Magica on May 13, 2017 in Madrid, Spain. (May 12, 2017 – Source: Julian Finney/Getty Images Europe)
Spanish tennis player Rafael Nadal serves to Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic during their ATP Madrid Open semifinal match in Madrid, on May 13, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / JAVIER SORIANO (May 12, 2017 – Source: AFP)
Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates winning a point against Novak Djokovic of Serbia in their semi-final match during day eight of the Mutua Madrid Open tennis at La Caja Magica on May 13, 2017 in Madrid, Spain. (May 12, 2017 – Source: Denis Doyle/Getty Images Europe)
Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates winning a point against Novak Djokovic of Serbia in their semi-final match during day eight of the Mutua Madrid Open tennis at La Caja Magica on May 13, 2017 in Madrid, Spain. (May 12, 2017 – Source: Denis Doyle/Getty Images Europe)
Rafael Nadal of Spain in action against Novak Djokovic of Serbia in the semi finals during day eight of the Mutua Madrid Open tennis at La Caja Magica on May 13, 2017 in Madrid, Spain. (May 12, 2017 – Source: Julian Finney/Getty Images Europe)
Rafael Nadal of Spain in action against Novak Djokovic of Serbia in the semi finals during day eight of the Mutua Madrid Open tennis at La Caja Magica on May 13, 2017 in Madrid, Spain. (May 12, 2017 – Source: Julian Finney/Getty Images Europe)
Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates a point against Novak Djokovic of Serbia in the semi finals during day eight of the Mutua Madrid Open tennis at La Caja Magica on May 13, 2017 in Madrid, Spain. (May 12, 2017 – Source: Julian Finney/Getty Images Europe)
Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates defeating Novak Djokovic of Serbia in the semi finals during day eight of the Mutua Madrid Open tennis at La Caja Magica on May 13, 2017 in Madrid, Spain. (May 12, 2017 – Source: Julian Finney/Getty Images Europe)
Spanish tennis player Rafael Nadal celebrates the last point against Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic during their ATP Madrid Open semifinal match in Madrid, on May 13, 2017..Nadal won 6-2 and 6-4. / AFP PHOTO / JAVIER SORIANO (May 12, 2017 – Source: AFP)
Rafael Nadal of Spain is congratulated by Novak Djokovic of Serbia after winning the semi-finals match during day eight of the Mutua Madrid Open tennis at La Caja Magica on May 13, 2017 in Madrid, Spain. (May 12, 2017 – Source: Denis Doyle/Getty Images Europe)
Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates defeating Novak Djokovic of Serbia in the semi finals during day eight of the Mutua Madrid Open tennis at La Caja Magica on May 13, 2017 in Madrid, Spain. (May 12, 2017 – Source: Julian Finney/Getty Images Europe)
Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates after beating Novak Djokovic of Serbia in their semi-final match during day eight of the Mutua Madrid Open tennis at La Caja Magica on May 13, 2017 in Madrid, Spain. (May 12, 2017 – Source: Denis Doyle/Getty Images Europe)
Spanish tennis player Rafael Nadal celebrates his victory over Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic during their ATP Madrid Open semifinal match in Madrid, on May 13, 2017..Nadal won 6-2 and 6-4. / AFP PHOTO / JAVIER SORIANO (May 12, 2017 – Source: AFP)
Spanish tennis player Rafael Nadal celebrates his victory over Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic during their ATP Madrid Open semifinal match in Madrid, on May 13, 2017..Nadal won 6-2 and 6-4. / AFP PHOTO / JAVIER SORIANO (May 12, 2017 – Source: AFP)
Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates after beating Novak Djokovic of Serbia in their semi-final match during day eight of the Mutua Madrid Open tennis at La Caja Magica on May 13, 2017 in Madrid, Spain. (May 12, 2017 – Source: Denis Doyle/Getty Images Europe)
Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates after beating Novak Djokovic of Serbia in their semi-final match during day eight of the Mutua Madrid Open tennis at La Caja Magica on May 13, 2017 in Madrid, Spain. (May 12, 2017 – Source: Denis Doyle/Getty Images Europe)
Spanish tennis player Rafael Nadal celebrates his victory over Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic during their ATP Madrid Open semifinal match in Madrid, on May 13, 2017..Nadal won 6-2 and 6-4. / AFP PHOTO / JAVIER SORIANO (May 12, 2017 – Source: AFP)
Rafa wow well done to you and all the best for the final,
love and prayers for tomorrow
AlaineXXSydneyXXAustraliaXX
altough i am happy for rafa and i consider him the favorite for french open i wouldnt rule out wawrinka the swiss has proved in the past that he can play his best tennis in grandslam tournament also federer has proven in australia that he doesnt need a preparation tournament to win a grandslam so dont get really execited nadal still has the play the french open and beat these players
Well I’m REALLY excited. Rafa will kill Federer on clay, and he will whoop Stan. That’s what I think.
RAFA ROCKS
Sooooooooooooo happy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You melt my heart Rafa.. You are such a joy to watch. Lots of good stuff for tomorrow and onwards. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Congrats Rafa I wach yout Mach .i love the you bit hem in 2 sets bravo champ.play very good vampossssssssssssssssssss you have alll the way to win..the King of Clay.🎾🎾🎾🎾👍👍👍👍😄😄😄😄🇺🇸❤️🎾🎾🎾🎾🎾🎾
This match is a huge proof of the fact that Djokovic was dominating in a super weak era!!
People has been praising him so much but look what if Rafa didn’t have such injuries and added Moya earlier, this could have been a two-horse race between Rafa and Djoker during 2014-2016.
Now everyone knows that when Rafa is slowly getting his rhythm back, Djokovic is not that difficult to beat!
I know Djokovic is struggling just like when Federer was 30, Rafa was 30 BUT remember this match was hold on the fastest clay court! Balls bounce very very fast! It is just like a slow version of hard court but somehow Rafa cooked Djokovic.
Your comment is ridiculous.
Djok beat pretty much everyone for two solid years 2015-2016, and was utterly dominant in 2011.
The “weak era” was the one Fed dominated, before Nadal and Djok appeared.
You minimze nadal’s accomplishment by trying to reduce Djok.
That’s not true at all. Djoko had Fed and Murray as competition when rafa was not fully fit and Murray, although weakest of the big 4 is much better than the likes of Phillipsousis and Baghdatis, players Fed was up against before Rafa came around. Also 2011 Rafa was playing amazing tennis and Djoko still managed to beat him.
I don’t think that is true. I remember reading that Roger was dominant in a weak era until came along, yours truly, Rafa.
So very happy for you Rafa 💋 You’re sure back on track 🎾💪🏼 Congratz again champ on your amazing win today and all the best of luck tomorrow 🍀🤗❤️
You are on track for 10th RG. RAFA. Back to his old form and fitness
l am very happy to see you winning and hope you win tomorrow,will be watching you rafa by for now vamos rafa.
Massive congratulations on your win today Rafa ! Good Luck on the finals tomorrow !
Congrats to The Undesputable King of Clay. 🌹🏆🎾👏👏👏
Vamos Rafa el mejor 🇪🇸🇪🇸
OLA OLA OLA OLA & VAMOS SWEETHEART!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ): ) BRILLIANT FIGHT SWEETHEART & A CLASSY VICTORY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) ; ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) VAMOS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) GREAT FEISTY OPENING SETS : 2:0 and 2 :0 …..wi….wi….wi…..!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) CONGRATULATIONS DEAR RAFA !!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) Striking & swift & powerful!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) BY THE WAY, I vividly remember last year as you were building your precious wins match by match on HARD COURT & THEN ON CLAY,, you were interviewed over & over about the future…..and as usual, you were realistically saying that you were happy with the way you were playing, developing, and THEN, I swear to GOD, I KNEW that YOU KNEW IN YOUR GUT that YOU WOULD BE LEADING again. BUT YOU WERE INTELLIGENT ENOUGH TO KEEP IT SIMPLY MODEST……..but by now, I recognize your own opinion on your TENNIS , and at the end of the day, THAT IS ALL THAT MATTERS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) ENJOY IT ALL SWEET RAFA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) YOU ARE A CHAMPION INSIDE OUT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) WE LOVE YOU & RESPECT YOU SO MUCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) TIME & TIME AGAIN SWEETHEART, YOU ARE MAGICAL WITH YOUR BRILLIANT PASSION and INTELLIGENCE ON THE COURT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) Very happy for you DEAR RAFA !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) We had so much fun watching YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) I LOST MY VOICE SCREAMING VAMOS & GO RAFA GO…………………………………and let me add my cheeks are feeling the ON GOING SMILES……. !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) Have a great evening sweetheart , and enjoy celebrating your beautiful hard work and outstanding delivery!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) DEEP INSIDE, I AM CONVINCED YOU MUST KNOW IN YOUR HEART THAT YOU ARE A BRIGHT, POWERFUL , FEISTY, TOP FIGHTER, BRILLIANT & RARE UNIQUE MAGICAL PLAYER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) THE GOAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) BY FAR CHAMPION, YOU ARE TENNIS FANS MOST FAVORITE EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) YOUR SPORTSMANSHIP PLUS ALL THESE INCREDIBLE INGREDIENTS AT YOUR SKILL FOUNTAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) YOU CAN TAKE TIME FOR SWEET DREAMS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) ci….ci…..ci….. MUCH TO BE PROUD DEAR RAFA !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) Have fun with THE TEAM & KEEP SMILING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) YOUR DIMPLES ARE AS ADORABLE AS YOUR MAGICAL COURT PRESENCE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) SO HAPPY FOR YOU & YOUR SOLID TOP TOP TOP CLASSY TENNIS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) Have a nice time and a beautiful tomorrow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) It will be another great day for Tennis fun & it will be a great match for you !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) Have lots & lots of fun playing your beautiful TENNIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) ci…..ci…..ci….ci….& ci SENIOR SWEETHEART !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) We love seeing you playing point by point and keeping your beautiful focus on the next point!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) 🙂 Your magic and moves on the court are stunning & you look beautiful out there …….it is unbelievably thrilling to watch each point you play!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) Sending a huge massive congratulation and lots of love & happiness!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : )
This news has made my Saturday even better!
THANK YOU RAFA!!
WAY TO GO AND I HOPE THAT YOU WIN IT ALL! <3
Wow and a half! When Rafa served for the match and the score reflected advantage, Novak, I had to take a really deep breath. That volley to bring the score back to deuce was so brave and unbelievable for Rafa! I didn’t leave the room at that point, I was able to control my emotion. The next point was advantage and a glorious match win for Rafa, indeed! What a splendid display of tactics and shot-making.
Rafa was just so masterful throughout the entire match. He just dug in on every singe point.
I have to also congratullate Uncle Toni and Carlos Moya for their exceptional guidance, support and belief in Spain’s pride and joy, the ultimate warrior and greatest clay court player in the history of the sport. So over the moon for Rafa, his team and family, (his girlfriend is part of the family!)
Wishing Rafa all the best for the final! Vamos!!!
Vamos rafa,m very happy for u,
Best wishes for tomorrow