Fresh from his 31st birthday celebrations, nine-time champion Rafael Nadal reached a record-equalling 11th French Open quarter-final on Sunday with a 6-1, 6-2, 6-2 win over Spanish compatriot Roberto Bautista Agut. Our champ equals the mark for Roland Garros last-eight appearances held by Roger Federer.
Rafa has not lost a set so far this tournament, and is on track to win the title without doing so, something he did in 2008 and 2010. Only Bjorn Borg (1978 and 1980) and Ilie Nastase (1973) have also achieved that feat.
Our champ now has a 76-2 win-loss record at Roland Garros with his only defeats coming against Robin Soderling in the fourth round in 2009 and Novak Djokovic in the 2015 quarter-finals.
After the match, Rafa said:
I’m very happy, he’s a great player. It was an important victory for me. I’m very happy to be in the quarters of the French once again.
I’m happy about these four matches. I think I’ve played at a very good level, which is good for my confidence and positive news for me. Now I will have a tough match against Milos or Pablo and I will have to be at my best to have a chance.
Rafael Nadal of Spain serves during the mens singles fourth round match against Roberto Bautista Agut of Spain on day eight of the 2017 French Open at Roland Garros on June 4, 2017 in Paris, France. (June 3, 2017 – Source: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images Europe)
Rafael Nadal of Spain serves during the mens singles fourth round match against Roberto Bautista Agut of Spain on day eight of the 2017 French Open at Roland Garros on June 4, 2017 in Paris, France. (June 3, 2017 – Source: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images Europe)
Rafael Nadal of Spain serves during the mens singles fourth round match against Roberto Bautista Agut of Spain on day eight of the 2017 French Open at Roland Garros on June 4, 2017 in Paris, France. (June 3, 2017 – Source: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images Europe)
Rafael Nadal of Spain serves during the mens singles fourth round match against Roberto Bautista Agut of Spain on day eight of the 2017 French Open at Roland Garros on June 4, 2017 in Paris, France. (June 3, 2017 – Source: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images Europe)
Rafael Nadal of Spain plays a forehand during the mens singles fourth round match against Roberto Bautista Agut of Spain on day eight of the 2017 French Open at Roland Garros on June 4, 2017 in Paris, France. (June 3, 2017 – Source: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images Europe)
Rafael Nadal of Spain plays a forehand during the mens singles fourth round match against Roberto Bautista Agut of Spain on day eight of the 2017 French Open at Roland Garros on June 4, 2017 in Paris, France. (June 3, 2017 – Source: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images Europe)
Spain’s Rafael Nadal returns the ball to Spain’s Roberto Bautista Agut during their tennis match at the Roland Garros 2017 French Open on June 4, 2017 in Paris. / AFP PHOTO / GABRIEL BOUYS (June 3, 2017 – Source: AFP)
A photo taken with a tilt and shift lens shows Spain’s Rafael Nadal returning the ball to Spain’s Roberto Bautista Agut during their tennis match at the Roland Garros 2017 French Open on June 4, 2017 in Paris. / AFP PHOTO / GABRIEL BOUYS (June 3, 2017 – Source: AFP)
Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates victory during the mens singles fourth round match against Roberto Bautista Agut of Spain on day eight of the 2017 French Open at Roland Garros on June 4, 2017 in Paris, France. (June 3, 2017 – Source: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images Europe)
Roberto Bautista Agut of Spain congratulates Rafael Nadal of Spain on victory following the mens singles fourth round match on day eight of the 2017 French Open at Roland Garros on June 4, 2017 in Paris, France. (June 3, 2017 – Source: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images Europe)
Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates victory during the mens singles fourth round match against Roberto Bautista Agut of Spain on day eight of the 2017 French Open at Roland Garros on June 4, 2017 in Paris, France. (June 3, 2017 – Source: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images Europe)
Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates victory during the mens singles fourth round match against Roberto Bautista Agut of Spain on day eight of the 2017 French Open at Roland Garros on June 4, 2017 in Paris, France. (June 3, 2017 – Source: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images Europe)
Spain’s Rafael Nadal celebrates after winning his tennis match against Spain’s Roberto Bautista Agut at the Roland Garros 2017 French Open on June 4, 2017 in Paris. / AFP PHOTO / GABRIEL BOUYS (June 3, 2017 – Source: AFP)
Next up for Rafa is a last-eight clash with either Canada’s fifth seed Milos Raonic or another Spaniard, Pablo Carreno.
Sources: AP, Reuters
I just watched the the video of Rafa speaking to the umpire. He spoke with the same passion and fire that fuels his play on the court. This issue is important and the tennis association needs to find a fair resolution that is enforced for every player. I do feel that Rafa was targeted and that is not right.
Moving on … Vamos Rafa! I love watching you play. You are the reason I have LOVED watching tennis since 2005! I am a proud fan.
Rafa how very well you are doing and CONGRATULATIONS on your last win.
All the best for the next match,
love and prayers,
AlainexxSydneyXXAustraliaXX
rafa is through the first week good news. However him winning so easy worries me he is not being tested so far. Now next round against busta not milos should be not difficult after all he played more then 4 hours.
The only player in my opinion so far who has impressed me besides rafa is thiem he also cruises through his matches and hasnt dropped a set.
if nadal meets thiem in the semifinal that will be the ultimate test and a match on prestige. Nadal needs to put that austrian kid behind the curtain that will be easy set then done. So therefore he needs to be very agressive. Thiem worries me.
Yes, Thiem is a worry. I look at the numbers & both Rafa & Dominic have had a easy go of it. He also loves the Clay and he loves to win, plus he has the stamina! I’m just feeling so confident that Rafa is going to pull this off. He is so focused and he is playing lights out.All the commentators are saying that he is playing better than ever. I’m trying not to get ahead of myself but I”m just so excited & can’t until he is lifting that trophy! VAMOS RAFA… You can o this!
B.T.W. what are we to think of Djok bouncing a ball 20 times before he serves and not get a warning and showing odious behaviour on court and getting away with a warning vs Rafa being withdrawn a serve for time violation?
The more likeable and polite you are more umpires track you down I suppose.
Wamos Rafa you are the best.
Puma, all I can say is COME ON RAMOS-VINOLAS. At least when Rafa walks of the court ,he can with his head held high . Novak should be a role model for his son and showing him how to act , instead of acting like the child . The commentator’s on Rafas’s match did say the umpire was a strict one ,I guess Novak’s one isn’t .
Novak was warned and then deprived of two first serves in his game against Schwartzman, by the same umpire that warned Rafa today (Carlos Ramos). It seems the umpires are inconsistent between each other, unfortunately. I learned form the commentators on Eurosport the other day that taking away first serve is the only penalty, no matter how many times the rule is broken. Rafa’s second serve win percentage is high, so… 🙂
Rafa, Novak and Andy all regularly take longer than the time allowed – is that a coincidence? Thinkers and strategists, I’d say. Also, Rafa needs longer on the clay, he needs to clean his baseline, makes it easier for the line judges and umpire in case of a dispute, he’s just trying to help 😉
Go RAFA – you are the best and the kindest – from your 70 year old fan in love with you.
Congratulations. Great wins. Now they are really going to get tougher. But we have faith in you. Play tough. Go for big win. This is yours to take. Mr.King of the clay
CONGRATULATIONS RAFA FOR THE 4TH ROUND AND BEST WISHES FOR THE NEXT MATCH
WAMOS
Amazing match. Good luck for the next round against Carreno-Busta. Vamos Rafa <3
Pablo has just beaten milos and is rafa’s next opponent I think in the quarters. Well done Pablo – it’s the furthest he’s ever been in a grand slam.
That’s great news ,and I love the commentator’s comment that he has just upgraded Rafa to the God of clay. , And I would say Spain is the kingdom of tennis.🇪🇸
The god of clay? I like that Maria!!
👏👊👑🏆😊
“I will need to be at my best to have a chance.” 0.0 LMAOOOO
Fantastique rafa !!!!!!! Cette decima serait 1 super cadeau d anniversaire pr notre champion et je le lui souhaite extrêmement fort 👍👏👏❤❤❤🎂🎂🎂🎁🎁🎁👑👑👑
Bueno Rafa no hay palabras para encomiar tu tenis…mira k tienias un rival duro y buen jugador en clay pero tu Rafa perfecto…te deseo lo mejor para k ganes tu 10 trofeo….VAMOSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!