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. 🌹🏆🎾👏👏👏