World No. 1 Rafael Nadal has reached the quarter-finals of the Paris Masters after defeating Pablo Cuevas in three sets on Thursday.
Rafa needed two hours and 20 minutes to overcome his opponent 6-3, 6-7(5), 6-3. His knee was bothering him again so he needed to receive a medical treatment after the second set. As you know our champ had his right knee taped during a Shanghai Masters final which also saw him pull out of Basel.
Rafa will face Filip Krajinovic in the next round of the competition.
After the match, Rafa said:
I didn’t expect to win fast. It was a very difficult match, Pablo is a very good player.
I don’t worry to play tomorrow at 3.30 pm. The rest is not a problem for me. It’s always hard playing someone for the first time, but I will do my best (against Krajinovic).
I don’t want to talk about the knee, but about the quarter final. I am in the most important city of my life, I am not taking risks, I just play.
Spain’s Rafael Nadal acknowledges the public as he arrives to play against Uruguay’s Pablo Cuevas during the 1/8 round at the ATP World Tour Masters 1000 indoor tennis tournament on November 2, 2017 in Paris. / AFP PHOTO / Thomas SAMSON (Nov. 1, 2017 – Source: AFP)
Spain’s Rafael Nadal acknowledges the public as he arrives to play against Uruguay’s Pablo Cuevas during the 1/8 round at the ATP World Tour Masters 1000 indoor tennis tournament on November 2, 2017 in Paris. / AFP PHOTO / Thomas SAMSON (Nov. 1, 2017 – Source: AFP)
Rafael Nadal of Spain warms up prior to his match against Pablo Cuevas of Uraguay during Day 4 of the Rolex Paris Masters held at the AccorHotels Arena on November 2, 2017 in Paris, France. (Nov. 1, 2017 – Source: Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images Europe)
Rafael Nadal of Spain warms up prior to his match against Pablo Cuevas of Uraguay during Day 4 of the Rolex Paris Masters held at the AccorHotels Arena on November 2, 2017 in Paris, France. (Nov. 1, 2017 – Source: Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images Europe)
Rafael Nadal of Spain warms up prior to his match against Pablo Cuevas of Uraguay during Day 4 of the Rolex Paris Masters held at the AccorHotels Arena on November 2, 2017 in Paris, France. (Nov. 1, 2017 – Source: Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images Europe)
Spain’s Rafael Nadal returns the ball to Uruguay’s Pablo Cuevas during the 1/8 round at the ATP World Tour Masters 1000 indoor tennis tournament on November 2, 2017 in Paris. / AFP PHOTO / Thomas SAMSON (Nov. 1, 2017 – Source: AFP)
Rafael Nadal of Spain calls for his towel against Pablo Cuevas of Uraguay during Day 4 of the Rolex Paris Masters held at the AccorHotels Arena on November 2, 2017 in Paris, France. (Nov. 1, 2017 – Source: Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images Europe)
Spain’s Rafael Nadal returns the ball to Uruguay’s Pablo Cuevas during the 1/8 round at the ATP World Tour Masters 1000 indoor tennis tournament on November 2, 2017 in Paris. / AFP PHOTO / Thomas Samson (Nov. 1, 2017 – Source: AFP)
Rafael Nadal of Spain returns a backhand against Pablo Cuevas of Uraguay during Day 4 of the Rolex Paris Masters held at the AccorHotels Arena on November 2, 2017 in Paris, France. (Nov. 1, 2017 – Source: Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images Europe)
Rafael Nadal of Spain returns a backhand against Pablo Cuevas of Uraguay during Day 4 of the Rolex Paris Masters held at the AccorHotels Arena on November 2, 2017 in Paris, France. (Nov. 1, 2017 – Source: Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images Europe)
Rafael Nadal of Spain returns a backhand against Pablo Cuevas of Uraguay during Day 4 of the Rolex Paris Masters held at the AccorHotels Arena on November 2, 2017 in Paris, France. (Nov. 1, 2017 – Source: Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images Europe)
Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates a point against Pablo Cuevas of Uraguay during Day 4 of the Rolex Paris Masters held at the AccorHotels Arena on November 2, 2017 in Paris, France. (Nov. 1, 2017 – Source: Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images Europe)
Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates a point against Pablo Cuevas of Uraguay during Day 4 of the Rolex Paris Masters held at the AccorHotels Arena on November 2, 2017 in Paris, France. (Nov. 1, 2017 – Source: Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images Europe)
Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates a point against Pablo Cuevas of Uraguay during Day 4 of the Rolex Paris Masters held at the AccorHotels Arena on November 2, 2017 in Paris, France. (Nov. 1, 2017 – Source: Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images Europe)
Spain’s Rafael Nadal returns the ball to Uruguay’s Pablo Cuevas during the 1/8 round at the ATP World Tour Masters 1000 indoor tennis tournament on November 2, 2017 in Paris. / AFP PHOTO / Thomas SAMSON (Nov. 1, 2017 – Source: AFP)
Rafael Nadal of Spain calls for his towel against Pablo Cuevas of Uraguay during Day 4 of the Rolex Paris Masters held at the AccorHotels Arena on November 2, 2017 in Paris, France. (Nov. 1, 2017 – Source: Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images Europe)
A general view as Rafael Nadal of Spain plays his match against Pablo Cuevas of Uraguay during Day 4 of the Rolex Paris Masters held at the AccorHotels Arena on November 2, 2017 in Paris, France. (Nov. 1, 2017 – Source: Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images Europe)
Spain’s Rafael Nadal celebrates winning against Uruguay’s Pablo Cuevas during the 1/8 round at the ATP World Tour Masters 1000 indoor tennis tournament on November 2, 2017 in Paris..Nadal won the match 6-3, 6-7 and 6-3. / AFP PHOTO / Thomas SAMSON (Nov. 1, 2017 – Source: AFP)
Spain’s Rafael Nadal reacts after winning against Uruguay’s Pablo Cuevas during the 1/8 round at the ATP World Tour Masters 1000 indoor tennis tournament on November 2, 2017 in Paris..Nadal won the match 6-3, 6-7 and 6-3. / AFP PHOTO / Thomas SAMSON (Nov. 1, 2017 – Source: AFP)
Spain’s Rafael Nadal celebrates winning against Uruguay’s Pablo Cuevas during the 1/8 round at the ATP World Tour Masters 1000 indoor tennis tournament on November 2, 2017 in Paris..Nadal won the match 6-3, 6-7 and 6-3. / AFP PHOTO / Thomas SAMSON (Nov. 1, 2017 – Source: AFP)
WE KNOW YOU CAN CARRY ON WINNING, YOU LOVE THE GAME SO MUCH AND HAVE MILLIONS OF FANS SUPPORTING YOU. GO FOR RAFA, PRAYERS AND LOVE TO LIFT YOU UP.
Stay healthy champ Rafa . You are surreal & brilliant . What a year it has been. Fantastic indeed. Cheers & vamos Rafa
As most of you heard, Rafa has withdrawn from Paris. He looked very sad in his press conference since he hates to quit. It was the right thing to do however. I hope that Rafa can play London, but only if if he is 100%. He has played so much and has had a wonderful year. Rafa gave his fans so much enjoyment. Now we only want him to rest and enjoy his number one status. Of course, he is always number one in our hearts.
All the best Rafa, and rest your knee.
Love and prayers,
AlaineXXSydneyXXAustraliaXX
Good luck-stay healthy💕👏
Rafa no matter what you are the best ever – love you – your 70 old year fan.
Hope your knee feel good by tomorrow good luck
ENHORABUENA!!!!!…pero Rafa cuidate…he sufrido mucho d verte otra vez con tu rodilla…..ademasI k se ha notado en l partido y en tuslo movimientos….TU SALUD ES LO PRIMERO CUIDATE….descansa y siemtete satisfecho d la temporada k has tenido……TE QUEREMOS!!!!!!!!!
Rafas knee looked not good 😔 All the best champ <3