Rafael Nadal has remained on course for his third US Open title by crushing quarter-final opponent Andrey Rublev in three sets at Flushing Meadows.
It was a good day for our champ who won 6-1, 6-2, 6-2 in one hour and 36 minutes under the closed roof of Arthur Ashe Stadium on Wednesday afternoon.
After the match, Rafa said:
It was a good match. For Andrey it was his first quarter-finals, so of course he played with more mistakes than usual. But winning two matches with straight sets is important for me. This year has been an emotional year. I have been playing very well almost every tournament after some years with some problems in terms of injuries and others from not playing so well. So you appreciate it. Especially late in my career it’s something six or seven years ago I didn’t think about. I’m very happy to be in the semi-finals. (via The Guardian)
The winner between Roger Federer and Juan Martin del Potro will play Rafa in the semi-finals.
Rafael Nadal of Spain returns a shot against Andrey Rublev of Russia during their Men’s Singles Quarterfinal match on Day Ten of the 2017 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 6, 2017 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Sept. 5, 2017 – Source: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images North America)
Spain’s Rafael Nadal serves the ball to Russia’s Andrey Rublev during their 2017 US Open Men’s Singles Quarterfinal match at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York on September 6, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / Jewel SAMAD
Rafael Nadal of Spain returns a shot against Andrey Rublev of Russia during their Men’s Singles Quarterfinal match on Day Ten of the 2017 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 6, 2017 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Sept. 5, 2017 – Source: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images North America)
Rafael Nadal of Spain reacts against Andrey Rublev of Russia during their Men’s Singles Quarterfinal match on Day Ten of the 2017 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 6, 2017 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Sept. 5, 2017 – Source: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images North America)
Spain’s Rafael Nadal serves the ball to Russia’s Andrey Rublev during their 2017 US Open Men’s Singles Quarterfinal match at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York on September 6, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / Jewel SAMAD
Spain’s Rafael Nadal serves the ball to Russia’s Andrey Rublev during their 2017 US Open Men’s Singles Quarterfinal match at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York on September 6, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / Jewel SAMAD
Xisca Perello watches Andrey Rublev of Russia play against Rafael Nadal of Spain in the Men’s Singles Quarterfinal match on Day Ten of the 2017 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 6, 2017 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Sept. 5, 2017 – Source: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images North America)
Xisca Perello watches Andrey Rublev of Russia play against Rafael Nadal of Spain in the Men’s Singles Quarterfinal match on Day Ten of the 2017 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 6, 2017 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Sept. 5, 2017 – Source: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images North America)
Spain’s Rafael Nadal wins a point against Russia’s Andrey Rublev during their 2017 US Open Men’s Singles Quarterfinal match at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York on September 6, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / Jewel SAMAD
Spain’s Rafael Nadal wins a point against Russia’s Andrey Rublev during their 2017 US Open Men’s Singles Quarterfinal match at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York on September 6, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / Jewel SAMAD
Rafael Nadal of Spain reacts against Andrey Rublev of Russia during their Men’s Singles Quarterfinal match on Day Ten of the 2017 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 6, 2017 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Sept. 5, 2017 – Source: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images North America)
Spain’s Rafael Nadal returns the ball to Russia’s Andrey Rublev during their 2017 US Open Men’s Singles Quarterfinal match at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York on September 6, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / TIMOTHY A. CLARY
Rafael Nadal of Spain returns a shot against Andrey Rublev of Russia during their Men’s Singles Quarterfinal match on Day Ten of the 2017 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 6, 2017 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Sept. 5, 2017 – Source: Al Bello/Getty Images North America)
Rafael Nadal of Spain returns a shot against Andrey Rublev of Russia during their Men’s Singles Quarterfinal match on Day Ten of the 2017 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 6, 2017 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Sept. 5, 2017 – Source: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images North America)
Spain’s Rafael Nadal returns the ball to Russia’s Andrey Rublev during their 2017 US Open Men’s Singles Quarterfinal match at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York on September 6, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / Jewel SAMAD
Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates defeating Andrey Rublev of Russia after their Men’s Singles Quarterfinal match on Day Ten of the 2017 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 6, 2017 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Sept. 5, 2017 – Source: Al Bello/Getty Images North America)
Andrey Rublev of Russia shakes hands with Rafael Nadal of Spain after Nadal won their Men’s Singles Quarterfinal match on Day Ten of the 2017 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 6, 2017 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Sept. 5, 2017 – Source: Al Bello/Getty Images North America)
Andrey Rublev of Russia shakes hands with Rafael Nadal of Spain after Nadal won their Men’s Singles Quarterfinal match on Day Ten of the 2017 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 6, 2017 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Sept. 5, 2017 – Source: Al Bello/Getty Images North America)
Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates defeating Andrey Rublev of Russia after their Men’s Singles Quarterfinal match on Day Ten of the 2017 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 6, 2017 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Sept. 5, 2017 – Source: Al Bello/Getty Images North America)
Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates defeating Andrey Rublev of Russia after their Men’s Singles Quarterfinal match on Day Ten of the 2017 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 6, 2017 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Sept. 5, 2017 – Source: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images North America)
Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates defeating Andrey Rublev of Russia after their Men’s Singles Quarterfinal match on Day Ten of the 2017 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 6, 2017 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Sept. 5, 2017 – Source: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images North America)
Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates defeating Andrey Rublev of Russia after their Men’s Singles Quarterfinal match on Day Ten of the 2017 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 6, 2017 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Sept. 5, 2017 – Source: Al Bello/Getty Images North America)
Spain’s Rafael Nadal celebrates after defeating Russia’s Andrey Rublev during their 2017 US Open Men’s Singles Quarterfinal match at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York on September 6, 2017..Nadal advanced to the US Open semifinals on Wednesday by defeating Rublev 6-1, 6-2, 6-2. / AFP PHOTO / Jewel SAMAD
Xisca Perello and Maria Isabel Nadal celebrate Rafael Nadal of Spain defeating Andrey Rublev of Russia after their Men’s Singles Quarterfinal match on Day Ten of the 2017 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 6, 2017 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Sept. 5, 2017 – Source: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images North America)
Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates defeating Andrey Rublev of Russia after their Men’s Singles Quarterfinal match on Day Ten of the 2017 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 6, 2017 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Sept. 5, 2017 – Source: Al Bello/Getty Images North America)
Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates defeating Andrey Rublev of Russia after their Men’s Singles Quarterfinal match on Day Ten of the 2017 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 6, 2017 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Sept. 5, 2017 – Source: Al Bello/Getty Images North America)
Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates defeating Andrey Rublev of Russia after their Men’s Singles Quarterfinal match on Day Ten of the 2017 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 6, 2017 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Sept. 5, 2017 – Source: Al Bello/Getty Images North America)
Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates defeating Andrey Rublev of Russia after their Men’s Singles Quarterfinal match on Day Ten of the 2017 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 6, 2017 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Sept. 5, 2017 – Source: Al Bello/Getty Images North America)
Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates defeating Andrey Rublev of Russia after their Men’s Singles Quarterfinal match on Day Ten of the 2017 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 6, 2017 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Sept. 5, 2017 – Source: Al Bello/Getty Images North America)
Xisca Perello celebrates Rafael Nadal of Spain defeating Andrey Rublev of Russia after their Men’s Singles Quarterfinal match on Day Ten of the 2017 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 6, 2017 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Sept. 5, 2017 – Source: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images North America)
Xisca Perello celebrates Rafael Nadal of Spain defeating Andrey Rublev of Russia after their Men’s Singles Quarterfinal match on Day Ten of the 2017 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 6, 2017 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Sept. 5, 2017 – Source: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images North America)
Xisca Perello celebrates Rafael Nadal of Spain defeating Andrey Rublev of Russia after their Men’s Singles Quarterfinal match on Day Ten of the 2017 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 6, 2017 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Sept. 5, 2017 – Source: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images North America)
Ana Maria Parera and Xisca Perello celebrate Rafael Nadal of Spain defeating Andrey Rublev of Russia after their Men’s Singles Quarterfinal match on Day Ten of the 2017 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 6, 2017 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Sept. 5, 2017 – Source: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images North America)
Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates defeating Andrey Rublev of Russia after their Men’s Singles Quarterfinal match on Day Ten of the 2017 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 6, 2017 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Sept. 5, 2017 – Source: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images North America)
Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates defeating Andrey Rublev of Russia after their Men’s Singles Quarterfinal match on Day Ten of the 2017 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 6, 2017 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Sept. 5, 2017 – Source: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images North America)
Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates defeating Andrey Rublev of Russia after their Men’s Singles Quarterfinal match on Day Ten of the 2017 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 6, 2017 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Sept. 5, 2017 – Source: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images North America)
Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates defeating Andrey Rublev of Russia after their Men’s Singles Quarterfinal match on Day Ten of the 2017 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 6, 2017 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Sept. 5, 2017 – Source: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images North America)
Rafa on a potential semi-final against Roger Federer:
I’m going to be having dinner probably. In Spain we have a late dinner. They play at 9, no? So it is our time for dinner. But it is a match I will pay attention to. Two great players, a great show. It’s strange we’ve never played here. It’s something we missed. It would be more special if it could come back in a final, but it is not possible for that to happen, so we’re going to come back next year to see if we can make it happen. (via The Guardian)
Rafa you have done your very best,
Love and prayers,
AlaineXXSydneyXXAustraliaXX
Rafa you play very good and fast today.good luck on Friday .best for the semy finals vamosssssssssssssssssssss champ you can do it .remenber 2017 is your year.🎾🎾🎾🎾🎾🎾🎾🎾🎾🎾👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍😇😇😇😇😇😇😇😇🇺🇸❤️🏆
Congratulations on the win-confident and strong💪👏👍enjoy-all the best in the
Semis💕
Congratulationt to Rafa for his straight sets win. Rublev has already proved his talent on the court in previous matches but Rafa was another story.!! I feel Rafa is starting to peak, just in time for his semi-final.
This match was over very quickly as was his one against Dolgopolov which gives him plenty of rest and relaxation time.
I am hoping that Moya does not allow Rafa to think this means more practice time. He needs to rest so that he brings a fresh body and a fresh mind to his next very important match. Just practice those things that need some fine tuning.
If Rafa wins the whole tournament ( but I should not think ahead ) it would be not only a special occasion for him, but a wonderful way for both he and Tony to celebrate Tony’s final Grand Slam they are teamed together.
Roger’s match against Del Potro has not taken place yet but I really would like Del Potro to win.
He has overcome so much time and time again to recover following injuries. If Rafa were not to win the semis all my hopes will be to see DelPotro holding that trophy.
EYE OF THE THE TIGER
CHAMP🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁👏👍
121
85
64
59
53
The above list represents the rank of the five opponents, in ascending order of rank, Rafa had to overcome to reach the semifinals. There is not one seeded player among them. He has been lucky in that respect.
In his semifinal, Rafa will face either the world’s number 3 or 28, both of whom have won the US Open. I hope his confidence holds up because he will be playing a Slam winner.
RAFA ROCKS THE US OPEN
Well done Rafa
Good luck for the semi final
I’m loving Rafa playing the early matches. Well done, Rafa!
I know Andrey is only 19 but he should feel proud of himself for making it all the way to the qtr-finals. He certainly has a lot of potential for the future.
So glad Rafa can relax a bit and enjoy a well-deserved dinner with his team, family, girlfriend and friends. Way to go!
Rafa finally stepped in and also the kid hot overwhelmed…only title remains forget the opponent Rafa…
Grande maestro!!!! Ahora hasta levantar la copa!!!
Very well played Rafa
Good match today – and it was very short. This will be very important for friday. Enjoy the moment and all the best for the semi-final. Always with you. Vamos Rafa <3
Mejor imposible Rafa…SENSACIONAL..eres un CRAK…
TE QUEREMOS!!! T SEGUIMOS!!!..
Suerte para tu proximo partido