World number one Rafael Nadal reached the China Open final with a 6-3, 4-6, 6-1 win over Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov in Beijing. He secured victory over last year’s finalist Dimitrov in two hours, 16 minutes.
Rafa’s 33rd hard-court victory of 2017 was also his second win over Dimitrov this year, after beating the 26-year-old in five sets at the Australian Open. Our champ increased his tour-level winning streak to eleven matches and improved to 60-9 on the season.
After the match, Rafa said:
I’m very happy to be in the final again. Of course, it is a very important achievement for me to continue with the positive feelings after winning the US Open. To be back here and be in the final with that very tough draw I had is a great effort. So I’m very happy.
I am very pleased the way that I have been playing the whole week, after a very tough first day. So here I am. I am in the final. Another chance tomorrow to compete in a big match. That’s important for me. That’s why we practise every day and try to improve.
Rafa will face either Nick Kyrgios or Alexander Zverev in Sunday’s final.
Rafael Nadal of Spain arrives on the court before his MenÕs single semifinal match against Grigor Dimitrov on day eight of the 2017 China Open at the China National Tennis Centre on October 7, 2017 in Beijing, China. (Oct. 6, 2017 – Source: Etienne Oliveau/Getty Images AsiaPac)
Rafael Nadal of Spain arrives on the court before his MenÕs single semifinal match against Grigor Dimitrov on day eight of the 2017 China Open at the China National Tennis Centre on October 7, 2017 in Beijing, China. (Oct. 6, 2017 – Source: Etienne Oliveau/Getty Images AsiaPac)
Rafael Nadal of Spain serves during his Men’s Singles Semifinal match against Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria on day eight of 2017 China Open at the China National Tennis Centre on October 7, 2017 in Beijing, China. (Oct. 6, 2017 – Source: Etienne Oliveau/Getty Images AsiaPac)
Rafael Nadal of Spain returns a shot during the Men’s Singles Semifinals match against Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria on day eight of 2017 China Open at the China National Tennis Centre on October 7, 2017 in Beijing, China. (Oct. 6, 2017 – Source: Lintao Zhang/Getty Images AsiaPac)
Rafael Nadal of Spain returns a shot during the Men’s Singles Semifinals match against Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria on day eight of 2017 China Open at the China National Tennis Centre on October 7, 2017 in Beijing, China. (Oct. 6, 2017 – Source: Lintao Zhang/Getty Images AsiaPac)
Rafael Nadal of Spain returns a shot during the Men’s Singles Semifinals match against Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria on day eight of 2017 China Open at the China National Tennis Centre on October 7, 2017 in Beijing, China. (Oct. 6, 2017 – Source: Lintao Zhang/Getty Images AsiaPac)
Rafael Nadal of Spain returns a shot during the Men’s Singles Semifinals match against Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria on day eight of 2017 China Open at the China National Tennis Centre on October 7, 2017 in Beijing, China. (Oct. 6, 2017 – Source: Lintao Zhang/Getty Images AsiaPac)
Etienne Oliveau/Getty Images
Etienne Oliveau/Getty Images
Lintao Zhang/Getty Images
Etienne Oliveau/Getty Images
Lintao Zhang/Getty Images
Lintao Zhang/Getty Images
Lintao Zhang/Getty Images
Lintao Zhang/Getty Images
Lintao Zhang/Getty Images
Lintao Zhang/Getty Images
Lintao Zhang/Getty Images
Lintao Zhang/Getty Images
Lintao Zhang/Getty Images
Lintao Zhang/Getty Images
Lintao Zhang/Getty Images
Lintao Zhang/Getty Images
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Incredible level yesterday, especially in the third. I watched the highlights of the match of a year ago vs Dimitri and folks, this was a completely different Nadal. What a difference confidence makes. If Nadal stays healthy, there are more big wins to come.