(AFP) – A 45-minute rain interruption did little to stop the progress of Rafael Nadal on Thursday at the Toronto Masters as he defeated Stan Wawrinka 7-5, 7-6 (7/4) to reach the quarter-finals.
The 32-time ATP World Tour Masters 1000 champion is a three-time champion in Canada and he improved to 17-3 lifetime against Wawrinka and 37-3 on the season with today’s victory.
It was a good match, a very positive victory for me over a tough opponent. I’m happy to see Stan playing well again. We had a good quality of tennis. I’m very pleased, I needed a match like this. It does much for the confidence.
Rafa returned from the rain delay by immediately breaking Wawrinka to win the opening set 7-5.
The second set was a battle as the Swiss,fought back from an early break down, took a 2-1 lead, with the pair again trading breaks in the fifth and tenth games. Rafa came from a mini-break down in the tiebreaker and secured victory on his second match point.
His opponent in the last eight is Marin Cilic following the Croat’s win over Diego Schwartzman.
The world No. 1 is going for his fifth title of the season. This week’s Masters 1000 tournament in Canada is only his second hard-court event of the season.
Tsitsipas and Anderson are into the semifinals.
Anderson destroyed Dimitrov 6-2, 6-2. The only match Anderson had any kind of trouble with was in his first.
Good morning Rafans, What a wonderful match and win by Rafa! I am a fan of Stan too, but not when he plays Rafa. The match was filled with incredible shots by both. Rafa was brilliant is securing the sets and match. He only played one bad game. I watched it on the Tennis Chsnnel in the US. I thought they were neutral and respect both players. Their bias tends toward US players. I was surprised to read about Sky Sports. The crowd was very pro Rafa, but they applauded the eye dropping shots by Stan too. Just a great experience. Worth watching and rewatching. There were a couple of shots by Rafa that left me gasping! Ćilić will be a tough match too.
Very nice comments. Meant to send this out earlier.
I myself was surprised about Sky Sports and felt it necessary to comment back then. It’s in one of these feeds.
To be honest I thought fans here were exaggerating because complaints were never backed up with specifics, only generalizations.
Great job you played very well, stay aggressive with your next match, I know you can do it,good luck
Worth stayed awake to see this great match, highest quality tennis from Rafa and Stan. Rafa stayed so calm when he was broken and 0/40 down. This shows his level of confidence and belief. Sky Sports were so pro Stan and grudgingly acknowledged Rafa occasionally. Rafa looks so fit and strong. I’m suffering from sleep deprivation as it was after 4am here in Ireland when the match finished, Rafa is worth the effort!
Sky Sports is known for their unfair coverage of Rafa. Ask me if I care. I don’t. I even commented on them a while back on this very matter. They can take a hike.
Whether Rafa wins or loses it is he who is in control of his matches; not biased commentators, not the press, and least of all not fans of other players who can’t wrap their heads around the fact that Rafa is a GREAT champion Rafa and should be shown respect.
RAFAMAZING ROCKS
Totally agree….Rafa does not get the respect he has earned, and worked so hard to get, over the years. Shame on you Sky sports. I love Rafa, and am totally bias, but, I do appreciate other players. Stan is a great player and can beat anyone on his day, as can Cillic. I am a fan of tennis!
Good luck in the next round.
What disturbs me about many of the high-profile sportscasters, journalists, and press outlets is they lack the defining quality of their professions – to be impartial.
RAFAMAZING ROCKS
Great going to Rafa. He should be fine going forward with his confidence level at a high level.
RAFAMAZING ROCKS
Rafa very well done,
and all the best for your next match against Cilic,
Love and prayers,
AlaineXXSydneyXXAustraliaXX
Bravo, Rafael. Sweet victory😍Stay healthy-Cilic is next. All the best🍀❤️
Good match and very happy for Rafa. Good luck for the next round. Vamos Rafa <3
I couldn’t watch the match unfortunately, I was working.. fortunately!
I’m so happy that Rafa won, and wearing the colors of our national flag. May you have the best of health and a bit of luck to win here in Toronto Canada! Looooooooooooooove you! Congratulations Rafa sweetie!
Stan you get hugs 🙂
Well done Rafa! This win will boost your self confidence and with Djoko out today ,I am sure you have to win Rogers cup. Actually you missed a golden chance to beat Djoko here after your Wimbledon loss to him.
Terrific match with shot making of the highest quality from both. Such clever play from Rafa to wrestle the second set from Stan to win the match. Going to get some sleep now as I’m shattered, but glad I stayed up.
VAMOS DEAR RAFA !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) FANTASTIC AND BEAUTIFUL TWO SETS VICTORY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) THAT WAS A GOOD MATCH AND IT ILLUSTRATED ALL YOUR PRECIOUS STRENGTHS….AND STEADFAST DETERMINATION AND STRIDE FORWARD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) STEP BY STEP…..NOTHING TO PROVE….A POINT AT A TIME……..VAMOS SWEETHEART!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : )