Wearing a black ribbon in honor of the victims of the Barcelona terrorist attack, Rafael Nadal has advanced into the quarter-finals of the Cincinnati Masters with a straight-sets 7-6(1), 6-2 victory over Albert Ramos-Vinolas.
Rafael Nadal of Spain (R) shakes hands with Albert Ramos-Vinolas of Spain after defeating him during Day 7 of the Western and Southern Open at the Linder Family Tennis Center on August 18, 2017 in Mason, Ohio. (Aug. 17, 2017 – Source: Rob Carr/Getty Images North America)
Rafael Nadal of Spain tugs at his shorts before serving to Albert Ramos-Vinolas of Spain during day 7 of the Western & Southern Open at the Lindner Family Tennis Center on August 18, 2017 in Mason, Ohio. (Aug. 17, 2017 – Source: Matthew Stockman/Getty Images North America)
Rafael Nadal of Spain serves to Albert Ramos-Vinolas of Spain during day 7 of the Western & Southern Open at the Lindner Family Tennis Center on August 18, 2017 in Mason, Ohio. (Aug. 17, 2017 – Source: Matthew Stockman/Getty Images North America)
Rafael Nadal of Spain returns a shot to Albert Ramos-Vinolas of Spain during Day 7 of the Western and Southern Open at the Linder Family Tennis Center on August 18, 2017 in Mason, Ohio. (Aug. 17, 2017 – Source: Rob Carr/Getty Images North America)
Rafael Nadal of Spain returns a shot to Albert Ramos-Vinolas of Spain during Day 7 of the Western and Southern Open at the Linder Family Tennis Center on August 18, 2017 in Mason, Ohio. (Aug. 17, 2017 – Source: Rob Carr/Getty Images North America)
Rafael Nadal of Spain returns a shot to Albert Ramos-Vinolas of Spain during day 7 of the Western & Southern Open at the Lindner Family Tennis Center on August 18, 2017 in Mason, Ohio. (Aug. 17, 2017 – Source: Matthew Stockman/Getty Images North America)
Rafael Nadal of Spain returns a shot to Albert Ramos-Vinolas of Spain during day 7 of the Western & Southern Open at the Lindner Family Tennis Center on August 18, 2017 in Mason, Ohio. (Aug. 17, 2017 – Source: Matthew Stockman/Getty Images North America)
Rafael Nadal of Spain plays Albert Ramos-Vinolas of Spain during day 7 of the Western & Southern Open at the Lindner Family Tennis Center on August 18, 2017 in Mason, Ohio. (Aug. 17, 2017 – Source: Matthew Stockman/Getty Images North America)
Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates after defeating Albert Ramos-Vinolas of Spain during Day 7 of the Western and Southern Open at the Linder Family Tennis Center on August 18, 2017 in Mason, Ohio. (Aug. 17, 2017 – Source: Rob Carr/Getty Images North America)
Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates after defeating Albert Ramos-Vinolas of Spain during Day 7 of the Western and Southern Open at the Linder Family Tennis Center on August 18, 2017 in Mason, Ohio. (Aug. 17, 2017 – Source: Rob Carr/Getty Images North America)
Rafael Nadal of Spain acknowledes the crowd after his win over Albert Ramos-Vinolas of Spain during day 7 of the Western & Southern Open at the Lindner Family Tennis Center on August 18, 2017 in Mason, Ohio. (Aug. 17, 2017 – Source: Matthew Stockman/Getty Images North America)
Rafael Nadal of Spain acknowledes the crowd after his win over Albert Ramos-Vinolas of Spain during day 7 of the Western & Southern Open at the Lindner Family Tennis Center on August 18, 2017 in Mason, Ohio. (Aug. 17, 2017 – Source: Matthew Stockman/Getty Images North America)
Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates after defeating Albert Ramos-Vinolas of Spain during Day 7 of the Western and Southern Open at the Linder Family Tennis Center on August 18, 2017 in Mason, Ohio. (Aug. 17, 2017 – Source: Rob Carr/Getty Images North America)
After winning the first set in the breaker, Rafa faced some trouble in the second set. Our champ saved two break points against Albert serving at 1-2 down, then broke and held to go up 4-2. After that, he won the next two games to finish the first task of the day.
After the match, Rafa said:
I was serving big today during the whole make – that was important for me. I can just say… see you tonight. It’s going to be tough (against Kyrgios). I will rest a little bit and try to play my best tennis. [via wsopen.com]
It will be a busy day for Rafa, who will come out after a brief rest to face Nick Kyrgios in the quarter-finals later today. Aussie won their infamous first match at Wimbledon three years ago, but Rafa has won the two since, including earlier this year in Madrid.
The winner of that match will face either Dominic Thiem or David Ferrer in the last four.
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Well that was the worst performance i have seen from rafa this year on hardcourt. His forehands were aweful, courtposition aweful, his movement and courtposition were aweful. He had no fresh legs ater playing two times a day.
Where are we right now? Based on his performances in montreal and cincinnati nadal is not the favourite for the us open. The main favourite is federer in my opinion. Zverev and maybe Krygios could call themselves outsiders. Where i see Rafa i dont know to be honest.
The only way me seeing rafa winning in new york is if the plays that tournament like he played the australian open this year. Every match for him in new york will be like a final for him because he is vulnerable on hard court.
Lets see we shouldnt underestimate the champ based on his two losses. But a lot needs to happen in order for him to convince me and other rafa fans who are pessimistic that he can win the us open.
The us open is a very difficult tournament rafa. Because of the fact that the final set is played in a tiebreak. With nadal nerves hammering him and his inability to play great tennis under pressure its going to be very difficult
My last point is to Moya: IF YOU ARE UNWILLING TO SUPPORT AND COACH RAFA IN IMPORTANT TOURNAMENTS INCLUDING GRANDSLAM THEN STEP ASIDE AND GIVE THE JOB TO SOMEONE ELSE I DIDNT SEE YOU LAST NIGHT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
mjus, I get your frustration. But calm down. Moya will be with Rafa at the USO.
I don’t like the 5th set TB format at the USO as well. Leaves too much chance to luck.
PS: Rafa you are playing great!!!!!!! : ) Keep perspective….you win some & loose some…….overall you are continuously on top…. emerging strong, with aces and fantastic returns……This match had some powerful moments….and given the time of night plus a second match today it is understandable…..YOUR passion and fighting and competing is always in tact and that is YOUR genius!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) You are striding forward in the last few months beautifully and that is fantastic!!!!!!!!! : ) You are so talented and persistent and you earned number ONE ranking once again – that is magnificent!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : )
VAMOS SWEET RAFA & GO GO GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) We love you and very happy to see you play top top top Tennis !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) XOXOXOXOXOXO
Just another match…..there will be other open doors & many opportunities for you !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) VAMOS SWEETHEART!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) 🙂 : ) 🙂 You came back to 5:5 in such a classy RAFA manner!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) 🙂 : ) : ) : ) I loved how you moved with speed and fortitude!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) Enjoy all your wins and celebrate your great hard court playing with your great team !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) 🙂 : ) : ) GO RAFA GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) Enjoy everything & take pride of all your great accomplishments!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) Have a beautiful relaxed evening and a great week ahead!!!!!!! : ) Goodnight & sweet dreams dear Rafa !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) Lots of love & happiness & VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) XOXOXOXOXO
No comment.
Can’t watch any more. Rafa had a golden opportunity to get back into the match and lost his serve again to love.
Jesus he breaks Kyr to save the match then plays an absolute garbage game 0/40, again can’t watch
Nerve. Rafa is clearly still having mental problem. In a way it’s even more worrying than his injuries. I would be extremely surprised if he could somehow string 7 matches together at the USO, given how he lost the matches he lost this year.
Hahaha…he can do it only if some miracle happens.
All this missed opportunities are killing him inside. And make everything worst.
Yes, I agree he’s def got mental issues happening
Mental issues…big time. And it’s not new. Cost him a lot in the past and will continue to be very costly if he doesn’t work with psychologist. But because of his very conservative team…i doubt it.
It’s so unfortunate for Rafa,but in the end it’s his decision. You need to be not only good player,you need to be…smart too.
Sorry, but navigating there is a nightmare. You need to tell me how to identify you and where.
RAFA ROCKS
OH I LOVE SO MUCH RAFA NADAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) 🙂 : ) : ) 5:5 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) GO RAFA GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : )
5-5. That’s more like it Rafa! Keep fighting!
Just watching the score, can’t look, I’ll watch again if there’s a 3rd set.
Have to say really disappointed in Rafa both MOntreal and here
Is it because Moya’s not here or because he is only brilliant on clay now …
I am very disappointed too. It’s not just because he lost …its in the way he played and…lost. Embarrassing.
Yep, extra bad. I don’t think Kyr was brilliant.
You could see the same problem in his first set against AVR. Kyr made him pay.
To be honest I was sure Rafa will lose tonight after watching him play the first match today (poor play too,even he was able to win in the end).
But I didn’t expect him to be…that bad. Super bad.He must be ashamed from his performance tonigh.
Couldn’t agree more. Even more embarrassing that he can’t even utilise such a depleted field and is going to be the new no1 in just a couple of days. It’s pretty likely now that it will be short-term only, which might also be embarrassing to him since his reaching the no 1 will be by default only, and that he hasn’t been able to win anything off clay for so long.
Wow, it’s so quiet in here. There’s even no thread for Rafa vs Kyrgios match. Rafa is losing badly, down a set and a break already, doublefaulted in the break just now. Kyrgios really came in to play, as espected. Rafa couldn’t have possibly played worse than he did in his two first service games and was broken in the brink of an eye. He’s playing better in the 2nd set but a loose game again and be pretty much broke himself. No resistance whatsoever on BPs. The match is pretty dusted and done now.
If he still instists on returning from the moon and fix his nerve I don’t see how he can win USO at all or any hard court tourneys left for that matter.
Very disappointed. It was embarrassing. Rafa should be ashamed from his “performance ” tonight.
He was already playing very badly in the match agaist Ramos. Probably his worst match of the year gamewise. Only his serve and clutchness saved him. But very often that’s actually just enough to win the match.
This match? Even worse than that. But the disturbing truth is I wasn’t even surprised at all when he gave the break right back at 5-5, after working so hard to break Kyrgios to even the score and give himself a chance in the set (I wouldn’t say “in the match” for obvious reasons), which btw could only be done by Kyrgios’s 2 DFs and the rude crowd. It’s very Rafa these days. Can’t consolidate too often. On clay he can fix that. Off clay? Well. We all know how the story often goes.
Very disappointed but nothing unexpected really. Rafa needs to fix his nerve and court positioning asap. He’s losing to himself more than to his opponents, which is really sad.
Absolutely AGREE with you. I was expecting him to lose after watching the first match today.Not surprised at all. BUT STILL VERY SAD. He really shouldbe ashamed and embarrassed. No excuses.
You put it very well here:
“Very disappointed but nothing unexpected really. Rafa needs to fix his nerve and court positioning asap. He’s losing to himself more than to his opponents, which is really sad.”
I want Rafa to have someone like Jamie Delgado as his coach, always intent on the match, always cheering his player on. Roig almost looking in the other direction. Nick has brought out some aggressive play from Rafa, which is good to see, some good serving too, but I don’t think it’s going to be enough…
Poor show by Rafa. He’s not coping with the flat heavy balls from Kyrgios and he’s missing too many routine shots!
Absolutely terrible start, now broken in the 2nd set, can’t watch any longer
I can’t say this was because he was tired. He started off so poorly. He got a bit better, but too little too late against NK, who has enough ago for four players
Rafa playing very bad..doesn’t deserve to be no 1
Ola sweetheart ….it is ok……just a set……!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) I love that you keep up your intensity and passion!!!!! : ) You are so brilliant and I love watching you compete!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) Enjoy everything & GO RAFA GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) Loved your Tennis sweet Rafa and it is a treat to see you again today!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) 🙂 : ) !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Lots of love sweetheart & GO RAFA GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) k is such a useless show off….can’t bare watching any of his matches…all same old arrogance and inflammation….. With zero sportsmanship in his attitude it is rather sad he is on any Tennis tours …. …… since you are on the court I am here enjoying your game just the same : ) Love you dear Rafa and love how you give everything in each point!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) XOXOXOXO
Good luck and Vamos Rafa <3
ENHORABUENA!!y ADELANTE te mandamos fyerzas y energias positivas para tu siguiente partido…VAMOSSSSSS!!!!!
Rafa, feel free to play like a world #1 because YOU ARE World No. 1.
Make it H2H 3/1 tonight. You’ve got the experience, the body, the creds, and your legion of fans behind you.
Best of two to you.
RAFA ROCKS ALL SURFACES
Vamos Rafa! Good luck for your 2nd match of the day against Nick!
Mes pensées sont avec toi et tes compriotes victimes de cet affreux attentat