Rafael Nadal set a new Open Era record for the most consecutive sets won on clay, as he reeled off his 37th and 38th against Roberto Carballes Baena in Barcelona.
The world No. 1 had matched Romanian legend Ilie Nastase’s effort of 36 sets won in a row as he beat Kei Nishikori to win an 11th title in Monte-Carlo and he overtook him with a 6-4 6-4 victory against his compatriot on Wednesday.
Rafa:
I need to catch the intensity, pace and concentration of last week.
The first rounds are always difficult and more when you come from winning a tournament last week. The sensations at the end of the match were better. It is a good victory seeing how the day has gone with players of the highest level who have lost.
I had to accept not having good feelings but I ended up winning the game.
Alex Caparros/Getty Images
Photo: Barcelona Open
A supporter holds a placard reading “With you always Rafa” in front of Spain’s Rafael Nadal during a Barcelona Open ATP tournament tennis match in Barcelona on April 25, 2018. (Photo by Josep LAGO / AFP) (Photo credit should read JOSEP LAGO/AFP/Getty Images)
Alex Caparros/Getty Images
Alex Caparros/Getty Images
Alex Caparros/Getty Images
Alex Caparros/Getty Images
Alex Caparros/Getty Images
Rafael NADAL from Spain during the Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell 66º Trofeo Conde de Godo at Reial Club Tenis Barcelona on 25 of April of 2018 in Barcelona. (Photo by Xavier Bonilla/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Rafael NADAL from Spain during the Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell 66º Trofeo Conde de Godo at Reial Club Tenis Barcelona on 25 of April of 2018 in Barcelona. (Photo by Xavier Bonilla/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Alex Caparros/Getty Images
Rafael NADAL from Spain during the Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell 66º Trofeo Conde de Godo at Reial Club Tenis Barcelona on 25 of April of 2018 in Barcelona. (Photo by Xavier Bonilla/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Rafael NADAL from Spain during the Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell 66º Trofeo Conde de Godo at Reial Club Tenis Barcelona on 25 of April of 2018 in Barcelona. (Photo by Xavier Bonilla/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Alex Caparros/Getty Images
Alex Caparros/Getty Images
Alex Caparros/Getty Images
Rafael NADAL from Spain watch during the Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell 66 Trofeo Conde de Godo at Reial Club Tenis Barcelona on 25 of April of 2018 in Barcelona. (Photo by Xavier Bonilla/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Rafael NADAL from Spain during the Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell 66º Trofeo Conde de Godo at Reial Club Tenis Barcelona on 25 of April of 2018 in Barcelona. (Photo by Xavier Bonilla/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Rafael NADAL from Spain coach Francis Roig and close friends during the Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell 66 Trofeo Conde de Godo at Reial Club Tenis Barcelona on 25 of April of 2018 in Barcelona. (Photo by Xavier Bonilla/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Photo: Barcelona Open
Alex Caparros/Getty Images
Photo: Barcelona Open
Photo: Barcelona Open
Photo: Barcelona Open
Rafa has not dropped a set since losing to Dominic Thiem in Rome last season – a loss that ended a run of 17 straight victories.
Rafa will face another compatriot in the third round as Guillermo Garcia-Lopez progressed after two-time champion Kei Nishikori was forced to retire.
Sources: ATP World Tour, Metro, Express
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Well done Rafa, and all the best for your next match.
Love and prayers,
AlaineXXSydneyXXAustraliaXX
Tough start of the tournament. Good luck for tomorrow. Vamos Rafa <3
Rafa has broken many records, no surprise if you think of the precocious 16-year-old’s performances since his arrival at the ATP level. And now he is breaking his own records and I trust he will continue to do so until he hangs up his racquet. True champion who never gives up.
RAFAMAZING ROCKS
Well done Rafa. You were up against a stiff challenge but you managed to come through relatively unscathed.
Good luck going forward!
Enhorabuena!!!!!!…bien jugado…viene bien rivales asi para sacar tu buen tenis…ADELANTE siempre contigo…a por el quince….creo k ya llevas catorce conde godò….VAMOS!!!!
Good for Rafa. I thought this match would be much easier compared to his MC road to victory. Hoping for an easier road ahead. This is only the second of five clay tournaments he may play unless he drops Rome.
RAFA ROCKS
WOW. Congrats to Rafa on your first match at Barcelona. Good Luck on the rest of your clay tournaments. Just focus on taking it one match at a time. Do that, and he will be breaking a lot more records. VAMOS RAFA.
Well played keep aggressive and win it it’s your good luck