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
Like this:
Like Loading...
Related
My oh my Rafa how well you played Gregor.
Well done.
Love and prayers.
All the best for tomorrow against Nick Kyrios.
Love and prayers,
AlaineXXSydneyXXAustraliaXX
Well done and a great play! stay strong and focus and win the 🏆!
Rafa, you will be playing Kyrgios tomorrow so get ready for a potential grueling match. All the best.
RAFA ROCKS BEIJING
Felicidades mi champion VAMOS RAFA concentrate en tu primer servicio en tu proximo mach, VAMOS RAFA
he will play against krygios who just defeated zverev. Its going to be difficult for rafa nick is serving very well. That will put a lot of pressure on rafa service games. So rafa needs to serve very well and can not afford to make a lot of second serves
AIsner served a crazy 80% and Rafa still broke him and won. Not saying Kyrgios cant win but Rafa is returning the best on tour right now.
Congratulation Rafa, you´re Great on China or wherever, very well done. C. Javier from The Canaries.
Well done – Congratulations Champ 🤗
The best of luck at the finals 😘🍀
VAMOS RAFA!! 🎾💪🏼😍
The third set was amazing. Great match champ. Take rest and than good luck for the final. Vamos Rafa <3
WELL DONE RAFA,
LET ROGER HAVE SHANGHAI, YOU HAVE NOTHING TO PROVE JUST REST UP PLEASE YOU HAVE BEEN AMAZING ,BLESS YOUXXXX
Wishing you the best. Good luck.. keep the bull strong
Congratulations Rafa. It wasn’t a complete demolishment of Grigor but the third set said it all.
I could not leave to buy milk for my coffee until I saw you win. I am sitting here, a cup of coffee in hand, gloating over your win.
I, too, worry about too much play. You don’t need the 500pts from Basel and surely not the dinero. Remember Rome. I hope you reconsider playing only Shanghai and the Tour Finals.
Best for your final.
RAFA ROCKS HARD COURT
Margo, Someone told me that Rafa is required to play four ATP 500s each year. I do not know if that is true, but if it is, he would need to play Basel. Maybe he skips Paris?
Hi va4favre, The ATP has a confusing rule stating that the Monte Carlo Masters will count as the four required 500-level tournaments. In the same rule it states “including at least one event following the US Open.” Do they mean “any 500-level” event or just “any level” event?
Rafa has a week off between Shanghai and Basel, and another free week between Paris and London, if he sticks to his schedule. I am wondering when Carlos is going to show up.
RAFA ROCKS
Fantastic victory over a tough Dimitrov. Continued good health and success in the final👍👏💪great confidence and fighting spirit❤️
A thoroughly entertaining match which had added excitement when Dimitros won the second set just when it looked as though Rafa had the match in the bag. However in typical Rafa fashion he bounced back to win the third set 6-1.
I hope he isn’t too tired for the final to-morrow. He is not only playing two big servers but they are ten years younger than he is.(actually I think Zverev is 11 years younger.)
Rafa has always been a confidence player. He needs victories to give him that extra something, which is why he has done so well this year and why he did so poorly in 2015 when he suffered so badly with confidence issues.
I still have some concerns that he may not have enough gas in the tank to prevail in Shanghai and of course Roger will be there all rested and ready to go. As usual he has a more favourable draw than Rafa.
I would hate to see Rafa lose to Roger in a final again this year . That could shake his confidence but of course I am getting ahead of myself . Neither of them might get to the final.
I should follow Rafa’s example and take one match at a time.
In the meantime congratulations to Rafa for a wonderfully played tournament in Beijing and a thousand best wishes for the final to-morrow.
ENHORABUENA!!!!!..bien jugado y peleado..suerte para mñna para vuelvas a levantar este titulo como lo hiciste en 2013…y gracias por defender la unidad d España…y sentirnos orgullosos d ser españoles…
Vamos Rafa
Well done Rafa, well done.
Good job. Congrats champ Rafa!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Cheers 🙂 🙂 🙂
Relentless as ever! Well done, Rafa. Now rest up for the fight in the final tomorrow!
Great response by Rafa. Despite the drama of the second set, he kept up the focus and intensity, grinding down Dimitrov. Some truly breathtaking points in this match. Well done Rafa, keep this up tomorrow!
Very well played game ,stay aggresive