Rafael Nadal and Pablo Carreno Busta will be facing each other for the fourth time in their careers when they meet in the quarterfinals of the French Open on Wednesday.
Date: June 7, 2017
Match time: 11 AM local time / 5 AM EDT – New York, Montreal / 10 AM BST – United Kingdom / 11 AM CET – Spain, France, Germany, Italy / 7 PM AEDT – Melbourne. To convert to your local time, use this website.
Rafa has the edge over the friend and fellow countryman Pablo, with a 3-0 head-to-head record.
| YEAR | EVENT | SURFACE | RND | WINNER | RESULT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Rio de Janeiro Brazil |
Outdoor Clay | R32 | Rafael Nadal |
61 64
|
| 2016 | Doha Qatar |
Outdoor Hard | R32 | Rafael Nadal |
675 63 61
|
| 2015 | Rio de Janeiro Brazil |
Outdoor Clay | R16 | Rafael Nadal |
75 63
|
Pablo on playing Rafa:
It is really difficult, because Rafa is maybe the best player on this surface in history, and he’s playing really well. But I will try. I’m playing well, with a lot of confidence.
- Rafa is bidding to become the first man in the Open Era to reach 10 semifinals in Paris
- If he defeats Carreno Busta, Rafa will become just the 5th man in the Open
Era to reach 10 semifinals at a single Grand Slam event - By reaching the quarterfinals, Rafa and Carreno Busta have guaranteed Spanish representation in the semifinals here for the first time since 2014 when Rafa went on to win his 9th Roland Garros title.
- Rafa has a 13-0 win-loss record against his fellow Spanish players at Roland Garros and a 20-3 win-loss record against Spaniards at the Grand Slams overall. His only defeats to Spanish players at the majors came
against David Ferrer at both the 2007 US Open and the 2011 Australian Open, and Fernando Verdasco at the 2016 Australian Open. - Rafa is looking to record his 22nd clay court match-win of the season, while Carreno Busta is aiming for his 21st.
- Rafa has not lost a clay court match to a player ranked as low as No. 21 today’s opponent since falling No. 45 Pablo Cuevas in the semifinals at 2016 Rio de Janeiro.
- Rafa and Carreno Busta won a doubles title together at 2016 Beijing, defeating Jack Sock/Bernard Tomic in the final.
GOOD LUCK & VAMOS RAFA!
Source: ITF
In case Rafa beats Thiem, the easiest opponent would be Cilic, followed by Mount Muzzard, followed by Nishikori, followed by Stanimal. I in fact think that a victory over Stanimal would be most satisfying because there is an overdue invoice since January 2014 if you know what I am talking about. One of the many slams that got stolen or ‘slipped through Nadals fingers’! Let Justice Be Done!
Jason, I agree! Wholeheartedly!!
This is why we love tennis. I compare this Djoko-Thiem rivalry at RG to Weak Era King Roger – Novaaaaaak rivalry of 2011 and 2012. First one won by Weak Era King in 4 very tight sets. Second one won in three easy sets by Novaaaaaak. Thiem lost a year ago to Djoko in 3 easy ones – mind you won one game against him in Rome two weeks ago! – and totally walzed over Novaaaaaak today. Thiem improved but we can definitely say that something is up with Novaaaaaaak!
Wow ! Novak has been bagelled in the 3rd set ! . Thiem looks ready but he can wait for couple of more years becoz this is Rafa’s time.
one thing now for sure. Nadal will be the nr 2 after this tournament. This loss reminded me about the loss of nadal in 2015 against novak in the quarterfinal. But djokovic will come back i have no doubt about it he has some business to do
If Stan wins the FO, he will jump over Rafa to number two, I believe. Novak would fall to four.
Hi va4favre i didn’t see your response. Would rafa not jump up a space and be no3 if Stan wins and then Stan becomes no2? With Novak going down to 4? Is that what you mean? I find rankings quite fascinating
Hi mjus – rafa will be no2 whether he wins or loses the tournament but only if Stan doesn’t win the tournament. If Stan wins then I’m unsure of rafa’s ranking. Can anyone assist?
At least we won’t see the love giving to the crowd. Well done Dominic thiem
I for one ONCE agree with you. That love giving ritual is so disturbing! And so non-original. He tries to imitate Andre who had his thing in 1999 with the crowd.
While I dislike the breast cupping, at least he did it alone. Here at RG, he has included the ball kids too. I think that is totally inappropriate and should not be allowed. It gives the impression of favoring Novak over others.
Goodness – Dominic got a double break in 3rd. Let’s hope he is exhausted should he win by the time he plays rafa.
I absolutely agree with you Maria!!! Nothing and no one comes in his way! Rafa has to win! Let us, all Rafa fans all over the world visualize Rafa winning “Rafa wins la decima”.
VAMOS!!!
Omg Thiem is 2 sets to love up ! It’s been an exhibition of one-handed backhands . Rafa needs to be ready.
And a break up in the 3rd. Didn’t Novak beat thiem on time 6-1 6-2 or something? Incredible but I’m sure rafa is watching carefully
In Rome I mean
He lost to Novaaaaaaak 16 06 seventeen days ago!
6-1, 6-0
Thiem is on his way to a 2 sets to love lead. The serb is not playing well and i think djokovic will lose this match in three sets. That has not happen to him in a very long time. He is going through what nadal went through in 2015 and 2016 and federer in 2013.
Nadal is going to need his serve and both fore and backhand more then ever in the semifinal. It will not be a easy three sets but a match comparable with the djokovic nadal semifinal of 2013 very close win for nadal.
The semifinal between nadal and thiem should fire up the champ. The anti nadal tennis pundits are going to watch also. If nadal loses they are going to call his changing of the guard. So nadal has something to prove not to us but to them
At the moment it certainly looks like the trophy will be changing hands again this year, back to its rightful owner hopefully. I would love to see Thiem win the FO in the future but not this year, nothing or no-one must stop Rafa from getting his 10th title at RG.
Seems the weather on Friday will not be as good as tomorrow. 23 degrees will be top. Hope Rafa gets to play later in the day.
Stop laughing Susie Lol
Can you see me Maria? I love it that Dominic is 2 sets to love up against Novak. However I am aware that should Dominic win he will play rafa and he beat rafa last time they met in Rome. However rafa in best of 5 sets is a different animal. I too really like Dominic but should he get through today there is no way I will be cheering him in the semis. As Maria snake island says – we will just have to see!
No worries, Rafa knows what he has to do, I am a fan of Andy’s, but like you the only player that I will be cheering all the way to the final is Rafa.
Wow! Congrats to Thiem , a force to be reckoned with. Rafa will need to be on his A game tomorrow , but I just know by the end of tomorrow I will still have a smile on my face.
Yep. Rafa needs to step up no matter who he plays in the semis. At the moment I feel that Thiem is a greater threat! He’s confident, determined and playing very well. Also physically thiem is younger and very fit. Just hope Rafa believes in himself!!! We believe in him but he must too!!
Rafa please watch this match (nole vs thiem) carefully!!! Pleeeease!
Hope and pray you have inspiration for semis and play like a wizard.
VAMOS!!!!!!
I think the reason why he didnt played well is because of the conditions. Wind and cold not suitable for his game. I hope friday will be a sunny day with no wind lets say 22 degrees.
Nadal didnt wasted energy and has a day of rest. But the semifinal will be very difficult so far he hasnt been tested yet.
Djokovic will be difficult but thiem will be more difficult. The austrian is very motivated and hungry. He has no problem playing long rallies on speed so nadal need to find out on how to beat this guy if thiem beats djokovic in my opinion serving well, returing and playing agressive, hitting dropshots and serve volley. Also try as much as possible avoiding the wawrinka light backhand.
He can not beat thiem only from the baseline that is impossible. In other words he needs to play almost the perfect match.
Thiem is looking almighty good , and for today’s that’s great news , not so good for tomorrow if he ends up being Rafas’s opponent.
Not the way Rafa would have wanted but u can’t do much about injuries. I’ll be honest I didn’t find Rafa in good form today. First serve 38% ,11 UE just 4 winners. Rafa needs to get better Thiem or djokovic won’t be easy this way.
Vamos
This is exactly what I have said from the start. The hubris among some of the fans is very unwise, will usually get punished. I believe that Djoko is subpar at the moment and can be beaten by Nadal. Thiem is a different story, would be a very close match. I am almost hoping for the Djoker to show up in the semis. Who would have thought that a few months ago?
As we speak, Novaaaaaaaak is 2-0 down and a break in the third. Never the comeback King, this looks over! Down Goes Novaaaaaak!! A year went by in a blink. He joins Rafa in the ranks of former slam winners without a major for more than a year.
Great to see Rafa through , not the way he would have wanted it I’m sure. I just hope now he can get out on the practice court, he could have done with the workout today. Hopefully Novak’s and Thiem’s match will be a very long and tiring one and whoever wins (Thiem please) won’t be up to giving Rafa much of a challenge.
Well now that Pablo has retired and rafa is through to the semis, I worry that he has not been fully challenged but he did play a lot of clay matches in the run up so hopefully all is well
Might be ok , I think the catch up tennis is now live instead Phew!
Maria – they’re just coming out. Eurosport 2
Thanks Susie , early days but Thiem has just broken Novak , if they keep going like this they are both going to be knackered. Recording Rafas’s match but keeping eye on score. I think Rafa has his match in the bag, where as Thiem’s match could be more exciting. Novak has broke back
I’m flicking between them both Maria as I feel Novak and Dominic will be more challenging hence more exciting. If rafa carries on like this and with pablo’s possible injury then I will catch the end of Dominic’s match
TV in UK is showing the earliest live tennis is on is at 12.30 which means we could miss Rafa , unless it’s delayed as hourly weather forecast for Paris shows rain at 10am but ok by 11
🎾💪🏼❤️🍀🤞🏻VAMOS CHAMP RAFA!