AP – Top-ranked Rafael Nadal moved into the semifinals of the China Open by beating sixth-seeded John Isner 6-4, 7-6 (0) on Friday.
The French Open and U.S. Open champion has won five titles this season and is closing in on the year-end No. 1 ranking.
He is now an ATP World Tour-best 59-9 (32-7 on hard courts) in 2017 and continues his quest for a 75th tour-level crown.
Rafa saved all three break points he faced against Isner. He will next play third-seeded Grigor Dimitrov, who defeated Roberto Bautista Agut 7-6 (5), 4-6, 6-2.
Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates after winning the Men’s singles Quarterfinals match against John Isner of the United States on day seven of 2017 China Open at the China National Tennis Centre on October 6, 2017 in Beijing, China.(Oct. 5, 2017 – Source: Lintao Zhang/Getty Images AsiaPac)
Rafael Nadal of Spain returns a shot against Karen Khachanov of Russia during the Men’s singles 2rd round on day six of 2017 China Open at the China National Tennis Centre on October 5, 2017 in Beijing, China. (Oct. 4, 2017 – Source: Lintao Zhang/Getty Images AsiaPac)
Rafael Nadal of Spain serves during his Men’s singles quarterfinal match against John Isner of the United States on day seven of the 2017 China Open at the China National Tennis Centre on October 6, 2017 in Beijing, China. (Oct. 5, 2017 – Source: Etienne Oliveau/Getty Images AsiaPac)
Rafael Nadal of Spain serves during his Men’s singles quarterfinal match against John Isner of the United States on day seven of the 2017 China Open at the China National Tennis Centre on October 6, 2017 in Beijing, China. (Oct. 5, 2017 – Source: Etienne Oliveau/Getty Images AsiaPac)
Rafael Nadal of Spain reacts during his Men’s singles quarterfinal match against John Isner of the United States on day seven of the 2017 China Open at the China National Tennis Centre on October 6, 2017 in Beijing, China. (Oct. 5, 2017 – Source: Etienne Oliveau/Getty Images AsiaPac)
Rafael Nadal of Spain returns a shot during his Men’s singles quarterfinal match against John Isner of the United States on day seven of the 2017 China Open at the China National Tennis Centre on October 6, 2017 in Beijing, China. (Oct. 5, 2017 – Source: Etienne Oliveau/Getty Images AsiaPac)
Rafael Nadal of Spain returns a shot during his Men’s singles quarterfinal match against John Isner of the United States on day seven of the 2017 China Open at the China National Tennis Centre on October 6, 2017 in Beijing, China. (Oct. 5, 2017 – Source: Etienne Oliveau/Getty Images AsiaPac)
Rafael Nadal of Spain returns a shot during his Men’s singles quarterfinal match against John Isner of the United States on day seven of the 2017 China Open at the China National Tennis Centre on October 6, 2017 in Beijing, China. (Oct. 5, 2017 – Source: Etienne Oliveau/Getty Images AsiaPac)
Rafael Nadal of Spain in action during the Men’s singles Quarterfinals match against John Isner of the United States on day seven of 2017 China Open at the China National Tennis Centre on October 6, 2017 in Beijing, China. (Oct. 5, 2017 – Source: Lintao Zhang/Getty Images AsiaPac)
Rafael Nadal of Spain in action during the Men’s singles Quarterfinals match against John Isner of the United States on day seven of 2017 China Open at the China National Tennis Centre on October 6, 2017 in Beijing, China. (Oct. 5, 2017 – Source: Lintao Zhang/Getty Images AsiaPac)
Rafael Nadal of Spain returns a shot against Karen Khachanov of Russia during the Men’s singles 2rd round on day six of 2017 China Open at the China National Tennis Centre on October 5, 2017 in Beijing, China. (Oct. 4, 2017 – Source: Lintao Zhang/Getty Images AsiaPac)
Rafael Nadal of Spain in action during the Men’s singles Quarterfinals match against John Isner of the United States on day seven of 2017 China Open at the China National Tennis Centre on October 6, 2017 in Beijing, China. (Oct. 5, 2017 – Source: Lintao Zhang/Getty Images AsiaPac)
Rafael Nadal of Spain in action during the Men’s singles Quarterfinals match against John Isner of the United States on day seven of 2017 China Open at the China National Tennis Centre on October 6, 2017 in Beijing, China. (Oct. 5, 2017 – Source: Lintao Zhang/Getty Images AsiaPac)
Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates a point during the Men’s singles Quarterfinals match against John Isner of the United States on day seven of 2017 China Open at the China National Tennis Centre on October 6, 2017 in Beijing, China. (Oct. 5, 2017 – Source: Lintao Zhang/Getty Images AsiaPac)
Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates a point during the Men’s singles Quarterfinals match against John Isner of the United States on day seven of 2017 China Open at the China National Tennis Centre on October 6, 2017 in Beijing, China. (Oct. 5, 2017 – Source: Lintao Zhang/Getty Images AsiaPac)
Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates a point during the Men’s singles Quarterfinals match against John Isner of the United States on day seven of 2017 China Open at the China National Tennis Centre on October 6, 2017 in Beijing, China. (Oct. 5, 2017 – Source: Lintao Zhang/Getty Images AsiaPac)
Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates a point during the Men’s singles Quarterfinals match against John Isner of the United States on day seven of 2017 China Open at the China National Tennis Centre on October 6, 2017 in Beijing, China. (Oct. 5, 2017 – Source: Lintao Zhang/Getty Images AsiaPac)
Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates a point during the Men’s singles Quarterfinals match against John Isner of the United States on day seven of 2017 China Open at the China National Tennis Centre on October 6, 2017 in Beijing, China. (Oct. 5, 2017 – Source: Lintao Zhang/Getty Images AsiaPac)
Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates a point during the Men’s singles Quarterfinals match against John Isner of the United States on day seven of 2017 China Open at the China National Tennis Centre on October 6, 2017 in Beijing, China. (Oct. 5, 2017 – Source: Lintao Zhang/Getty Images AsiaPac)
Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates a point during the Men’s singles Quarterfinals match against John Isner of the United States on day seven of 2017 China Open at the China National Tennis Centre on October 6, 2017 in Beijing, China. (Oct. 5, 2017 – Source: Lintao Zhang/Getty Images AsiaPac)
Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates a point during the Men’s singles Quarterfinals match against John Isner of the United States on day seven of 2017 China Open at the China National Tennis Centre on October 6, 2017 in Beijing, China. (Oct. 5, 2017 – Source: Lintao Zhang/Getty Images AsiaPac)
Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates after winning the Men’s singles Quarterfinals match against John Isner of the United States on day seven of 2017 China Open at the China National Tennis Centre on October 6, 2017 in Beijing, China. (Oct. 5, 2017 – Source: Lintao Zhang/Getty Images AsiaPac)
Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates after winning the Men’s singles Quarterfinals match against John Isner of the United States on day seven of 2017 China Open at the China National Tennis Centre on October 6, 2017 in Beijing, China. (Oct. 5, 2017 – Source: Lintao Zhang/Getty Images AsiaPac)
Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates after winning the Men’s singles Quarterfinals match against John Isner of the United States on day seven of 2017 China Open at the China National Tennis Centre on October 6, 2017 in Beijing, China. (Oct. 5, 2017 – Source: Lintao Zhang/Getty Images AsiaPac)
Source: AP, Photos: Getty Images
Well done Rafa and all the best for game against Gregor,
Love and prayers,
AlaineXXSydneyXXAustraliaXX
best of luck Rafa! Vamos 💪💪💪
Be healthy and calm!
Rafa congratulations vamossssssssssssssss champ ,good luck. All the best against Grigor.🎾🎾🎾🎾👍👍👍👍🇺🇸❤️🏆
Intelligent play by a confident Rafa, who is such a great mover around the court. He’s so sharp right now. He took his opportunities against the Isner serve to come out victorious! Well done!
Great match and an amazing tie-break <3
Superb win over Isner, Rafael. All the best against Grigor-stay healthy.👏💪👍😋❤️
K bien!!! Rafa…cuanto m alegro d verte asi…suerte para tu proximo partido…
Rafa the mightiest warrior & numero uno champion