Rafael Nadal continues on his quest for a 33rd ATP Masters 1000 title when he takes on Russian Karen Khachanov in the Toronto Masters semi-finals on Saturday night.
Date: August 11, 2018
Match time: Not before 8 PM local time / 8 PM EDT – New York / Saturday, 1 AM BST – United Kingdom / Sunday, 2 AM CEST – Spain, France, Germany, Italy / Sunday, 10 AM AEST – Melbourne. To convert to your local time, use this website.
All three of their previous encounters have gone the way of Rafa, but the 22-year-old will enter their semi-final meeting with a wave of momentum at his back, having not dropped a set all week in Toronto.
Rafa has triumphed on all surfaces against Khachanov, winning on the grass of Wimbledon and hard courts of Beijing last year, as well as at the Monte-Carlo Masters earlier this year.
| Year | Event | Surface | RND | Winner | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | ATP World Tour Masters 1000 Monte Carlo Monaco |
Outdoor Clay | R16 | Rafael Nadal | |
| 2017 | Beijing China |
Outdoor Hard | R16 | Rafael Nadal | |
| 2017 | Wimbledon Great Britain |
Outdoor Grass | R32 | Rafael Nadal |
Rafa on facing Khachanov:
He’s dangerous… he hits the ball very hard. I need to keep playing aggressive. This is an opportunity to keep going.
Our champ is a three-time champion in Canada, with victories in Montreal in 2005 and 2013 and in Toronto in 2008.
GOOD LUCK & VAMOS RAFA!
Source: ATP World Tour
Stefanos Tsitsipas is the youngest male player to beat three top ten players in the same tournament since Rafa did it in 2006 at Monte Carlo.
RAFA WROCKS
Tsitsipas just won a spot in the final.
RAH RAH RAFA
Vamos! Win! Win! Win!
Your No 1 fan from Michigan is finally healthy enough to see you in Cincinatti! Tuesday day and night session and Wednesday day session. I can’t wait.
It is Saturday and I am waiting to see semi finals in toronto. Vamos my friend! ❤️
Lucky you and enjoy your trip To Cincinnati.
If you have time while there, could you share with us here on RNF your bird’s eye view of anything Rafa? That would be super.
RAH RAH RAFA
Do you know when he plays his first match?
Rafa just remember one point at a time and to stay focused and aggressive playing against him. Don’t let up for a second and find his weakness he has to have one or two and play super aggressive to them. Break him Rafa Break him. Good luck my Mighty Tennis Warrior you are the Matador so tease him and then Crush him. You can do it . Good luck and remember stay focused and play very aggressive. love ya Rafa
Kathie
Good luck and Vamos Rafa <3
Rafa sure well done and all the best for next match,
Love and prayers,
AlaineXXSydneyXXAustralia
Beverley Budnichenko where are you? You’ve been gone too long. Let us know how you’re doing. Please.
RAFAMAZING ROCKS
So far this season Rafa is 36-3 with 4 titles and we’re only in August with 3 more months to go until the end of the season. He is feeling great and my hopes are he keeps feeling great. I also hope he takes a break after Toronto but before the Nitto ATP Finals. When he overworks his body we know what happens.
Here’s to a MUCH easier semifinal match. Rafa has at least 20 hours to recover from two very tough consecutive matches.
RAFA ROCKS
Vamos Rafa! This is really a golden opportunity to grab Rogers cup and add important points to your No.1 status.I am sure if you maintain your game and fighting qualities as against Cilic, you are sure to win against Khachanov and then Final