Top seed Rafael Nadal has been eliminated from the Cincinnati Open tonight after losing in straights sets to Nick Kyrgios. The young Aussie defeated our champ 6-2, 7-5 in one hour and 20 minutes to move into the last four of the tournament.
Kyrgios had 10 aces to Rafa’s four, while winning 86 per cent of his first-serve points to Rafa’s 69 per cent and 52 per cent against 30 per cent on the second ball.
Nick Kyrgios of Australia is congratulated by Rafael Nadal of Spain after their match 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 to Nick Kyrgios, of Australia, at the Western & Southern Open tennis tournament, Friday, Aug. 18, 2017, in Mason, Ohio. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)
Rafael Nadal of Spain serves to Nick Kyrgios of Australia 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)
A ball hit by Nick Kyrgios of Australia goes past Rafael Nadal 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 reacts to losing a point against Nick Kyrgios of Australia 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)
THM99. Mason (United States), 18/08/2017.- Rafael Nadal of Spain waves to the crowd as he leaves the court after being defeated by Nick Kyrgios of Australia during the Western & Southern Open tennis tournament at the Linder Family Tennis Center in Mason, Ohio, USA, 18 August 2017. (España, Abierto, Tenis, Estados Unidos) EFE/EPA/TANNEN MAURY
THM98. Mason (United States), 18/08/2017.- Rafael Nadal of Spain waves as he leaves the court after being defeated by Nick Kyrgios of Australia during the Western & Southern Open tennis tournament at the Linder Family Tennis Center in Mason, Ohio, USA, 18 August 2017. (España, Abierto, Tenis, Estados Unidos) EFE/EPA/TANNEN MAURY
THM97. Mason (United States), 18/08/2017.- Rafael Nadal of Spain applauds the crowd as he leaves the court after being defeated by Nick Kyrgios of Australia during the Western & Southern Open tennis tournament at the Linder Family Tennis Center in Mason, Ohio, USA, 18 August 2017. (España, Abierto, Tenis, Estados Unidos) EFE/EPA/TANNEN MAURY
After the match, Rafa said:
He obviously is a tough match always. Nick is a great player, but I played poorly. I started the match well and then I played a very bad game in the second set when he broke me. I played some good points. He had some mistakes and I was able to be back in the match. And then I played a terrible game. So it was a bad match for me. Congrats to him. That’s it.
I love this tournament so much. It is improving every year. But I don’t know why I don’t find my rhythm here. It is tough for me to compete well here. But I’m going to keep trying next year.
The defeat marks a second premature elimination for Rafa in the space of a week, having suffered a third-round loss to Denis Shapovalov in the Rogers Cup last Thursday.
Despite the loss, Rafa will move back to No. 1 in the ATP rankings next week for the first time since 2014, before a series of injuries affected his game.
To be No. 1 after all the things I’ve been going through the last couple years is something unbelievable. For me, it’s an amazing achievement.
After the match, Rafa wore a ribbon honoring the victims of the attack in Barcelona.
A tragedy. The feeling that you’re not safe nowhere – that’s terrible. It’s very sad and I’m very, very sorry about what happened. To all the victims, the families, friends – all my support.
Sources: ATP, AP
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@PUMA [No reply link.]
I think it’s LGBT.
Audacious response.
RAFA ROCKS #1
It’s nothing new that Rafa’s problems are more mental than anything else. It’s been like that for a few years now. Very very sad but as I’ve said before, the mental issue has to be singled out and addressed separately. Maybe hire someone to help him for that particular problem. Even when he is playing well that phase is short lived. If something goes wrong – however small – he falls apart and that cannot go on.
It’s such a great pity because this year he’s been given so many opportunities and could have capitalized.
Hope he and others in his team recognize this and do something about it.
All the best my Rafa!
VAMOS
Now that Rafa is out, I was rooting for David but Nick won. I thinks it’s his first Masters final.
RAFA ROCKS
@PUMA [no reply link]
Yes, Amberoxx is just expressing fan frustration. Not saying I agree or disagree with her/his post.
What I will say is that Rafa himself said that ultimately the only one responsible for a win or a loss is the player; not the coach, not the team. It is my feeling that Rafa is going through some sort of mental turmoil. Yes, Rafa lost miserably and fans are beating him up for it. I am trying to figure out why he lost so miserably and I am not talking about how he should have played. I am referring to his mind-set.
Don’t feel you can’t come here as a fan and express yourself. I don’t always agree with you but there is room here for differing opinions.
RAFA ROCKS
To bad Rafa has to play 2 times the seme day.is OK Rafa you well get on the next tournament do better .it was a bad day.vamosssssssssssssssssssssssssssss .you are not a machine you are a human bin love your fans for ever.Im a tennis player too .🎾🎾🎾🎾🎾🎾🎾🎾🎾🎾🎾🎾🎾🎾🎾🎾🎾🎾🎾🎾🎾🎾🎾🎾👍🇺🇸❤️
Hard to watch!! Hope Rafa finds his best game soon! U.S. Open not far off!
What’s going on here??? Rafa is missing opportunities and seems to be sinking… In Montreal he had a great draw with straight shot to the semis and finals…… In Cincinnati, the tournament was his to lose. None of the big boys were there. Come on!!!! His forehand needs work! What’s happened to the down the line shots? It’s non-existent. The loopy shots gives his opponent too much time to set up with top spinning rockets across.
Yesterday Nick was a disrespectful player who needed to be taught a lesson by the #1 player in the world who couldn’t do it.
I have said this before, it is the U.S. Open that counts!!! I will be there everyday!! We as fans will lift you up Rafa, every day you play, as we love you, ..but….you need to get your head and body into the game. You are healthy, and that’s half the battle…. VAMOS!!!
Hope Rafa reads these posts. Need to say — Rafa stay out of the grandstands when you play. You make your opponent’s job so easy. They can hit the ball anywhere on the court and win the point because you are back so far behind the baseline. I had to add this message. DO NOT retreat 8 feet behind baseline. Love you Rafa. Marylynn
P.S. Stay healthy and quit worrying about losing or not playing well just get out there and play with your great intensity and don’t think about how good the guy across the net is. You will do great at US Open. I know you will.
Rafa read these posts?
Are you insane?