Rafael Nadal defeated qualifier Filip Krajinovic 6-3, 6-4 on Wednesday to reach the quarterfinals of the BNP Paribas Open.
Rafa remains on track for a potential semifinal against five-time champion Roger Federer in the bottom half of the draw. The top half was rocked by the upsets of top-ranked Novak Djokovic and No. 3 seed Alexander Zverev.
“The difference between players is not huge. It’s small gaps,” Rafa said about the upsets. “Is true that for the last 10 years didn’t happen very often.”
Krajinovic hadn’t dropped a set in winning his first three main-draw matches after two wins in qualifying to get into the $8.3 million event. But he couldn’t overcome Rafa, who lost his serve just once in the 1 1/2-hour match in sunny and windy conditions.
“Probably played a little bit worse today than yesterday,” Rafa said. “Maybe because of the conditions.”
Next up for Rafa is the winner of a fourth-round match between John Isner and Karen Khachanov.
Source: AP
Congrats to Rafa on a very close match. What heart thumping action. Two tiebreakers. Bandaged knee. I hope he’s not injured and not in pain. PLEASE.
RAFA ROCKS
Wow, the things Rafa puts his body through for us.
What a fighting spirit! Great win tonight.
Will his body hold up enough to win against Roger or even face him? I hope so!
Get some rest and recover champ!
Wow, that was a b it nail-biting! Right result, but a bit close.
Ouch, the knee! Hang on Rafa 🙏🏻
WwEEEEEEEE Rafa, one more set.
RAFA ROCKS
A nervous start. Come Rafa pick up your game!
Today is Rafa’s QF vs Khachanov and I am PUMPED. I want Rafa going into his match with nerves of steel.
Seems Roger is growing up. I just had to post this.
“Five-time champion Federer plays first-time ATP Master 1000 quarter-finalist Hubert Hurkacz, while second seed Nadal takes on 2018 Rolex Paris Masters champion Karen Khachanov.
‘I hope I can get there, but I’m not going to underestimate Hubert,’Federer said. ‘Rafa looked supreme this week. He clearly also goes in as favourite against Khachanov, but Khachanov played a good match just now against [John] Isner. I think that’s also going to be quite a test for Rafa, but same for me with Hubert. I don’t think we’re looking too far ahead.’”
[SOURCE: ATP]
Hopefully I will see a Fedal semifinal on Saturday.
RAFAAAA ROCKS
What time is Rafa’s quarterfinal tomorrow? Vamps Rafa.
Marylynn
Marylynn, the IW site has Rafa playing at 1:30pm local time. RNF will probably post the time later this morning. Best thing to do is always check because times for play can always change.
RAFA ROCKS
Thank you Margo. Marylynn
You’re welcome Marylynn.
RAFAAAA ROCKS
Marylynn, please note also that Roger and Rafa will play their respective matches on Court 1 per IW website. Roger is scheduled to start his match at 11:00am local time. Rafa will play after him.
RAFAAAAAA ROCKS
Best of luck in your quarter final tomorrow Rafa. I love you. Stay healthy and confident and just believe. God bless you. Love ya. Marylynn
I saw Khachanov play Feli Lopez at IW and honestly it could have gone either way… He beat him 6-3, 1-6, 6-4 and I remember thinking he was an up and comer but average at best… And looking at his scores he has been kept very close by his opponents with winning sets at 7-5 in one match and 7-6 in another… Rafa knows Karen’s game and as long as Rafa stays focused he will take Khachanov out… Roger now has a clear path to the semis with Shap losing his match……So the potential for a Roger / Rafa semi final is tremendous… We were hoping for that at the US Open until Roger was knocked out… And so I say… Go Rafa!! Take care of business!!! Let’s see a Roger / Rafa semi… which will be intense and exciting .. more than the finals itself!!
YES!
Why do the upsets always happen in the opposite half 🙂 ?
Can you be specific?
Rafa has had an easy path to the QF, thus far. Would you prefer he play Djokovic?
As it stands now, both the ATP and WTA World No. 1’s have fallen victim to shock loses.
RAFA IS STILL ROCKIN’ IW
So far so good . I think Khachonov is a touch match and will require that Rafa takes full advantage of all break opportunities .I don’t want this to go down to tiebreakers . as always , Vamos Rafa .
I thought Schwartzman would be a tough opponent. I was wrong. Hoping you’re wrong about Khachanov.
RAFA ROCKS
Very happy for you <3 Vamos Rafa!!!
Rafa has won five times against Khachanov so it’s not a stretch of my imagination that he will win number six on Friday.
RAFA ROCKS
Don’t count your chickens before they are hatched, Margo?
Nobody wants to be an underdog forever. Like Rafa truly admitted, the difference btw professional players is not much. Had Krajinovic played with much gusto, he probably would have caused an upset!
If Rafa played the way he did with Krajinovic, Khakhanov will win. I’d would not be surprised at all if indeed an upset happens. But, at least, I expect Rafa to make some adjustments and so I expect Rafa nevertheless to still win.
However, at the end, I think its Roger’s cup to lose.
But, as always, we’d see………..cheers
You’ve got quite a vivid imagination. Please compare Rafa’s stats vs Khachanov’s for each match at this IW’s tourney. Rafa can beat Karen blindfolded.
RAFA ROCKS
Such s negative post from someone who suppprts Rafa ! Rafa takes every match as it comes .
Is Maria deep thinker by any chance Maria the snake island? She sounds so much like her denigrating and ill-wishing on Rafa
Wamos Rafa, you are the best.
I am praying he does. So want him to win this tournament and give him confidence going to Miami.
Merlyn Darcie, Rafa May skip Miami. See the Luigi Gatto article.
RAFA ROCKS IW
Ignore that Italian ” journalist, he writes bad stuff about Rafa.
Rafa has already said that he may not play Mismi or Madrid . Think he’d we wise to skip Miami.
Best of luck Rafa
What is your problem E. Howard?
First and foremost manners would dictate that you address the person who recommended the Luigi Gatto article, me. And back up your claim with verifiable examples.
Second, I read Gatto’s articles about Rafa because he is fair in reporting and accurate. I would not recommend a reporter who would disparage Rafa.
Please supply some references substantiating your claim that L. Gatto “writes bad stuff about Rafa.” I’m intrigued.
RAFA ROCKS IW
Margo. I am very sad that Rafa may not play in Miami. If he withdraws, when would that be announced?
Hi Dallas in Wisconsin, please Google
Rafael Nadal May miss Miami and Madrid
and you will come across Luigi Gatto’s article and one or two others.
I too was surprised to learn he may not play Miami and Madrid but it won’t be “official” until either the ATP or the Miami Open makes the announcement. I learned here on RNF that “tournaments wait until the last minute to announce withdrawals” of high-ranking players “so they can sell as many tickets as possible.” I don’t recall the fan who posted that here.
Please keep in mind also that Rafa has often alluded to curtailing his schedule because he is getting older and wishes to stay as healthy as possible perhaps by playing fewer tournaments. He recently said he was so surprised that he is so high in the rankings even though he has been playing fewer tournaments [due to injury].
RAFA ROCKS
VAMOS SWEETHEART!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR GREAT, SWIFT VICTORY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) GREAT MATCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) KUDOS SWEETHEART!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) YOU SERVED BEAUTIFULLY AND HAD SHARP GORGEOUS ACES !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) WI……WI……WI……. LOVE HOW SHARP AND CLEAN YORE ACES ARE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) YOU FIND JUST THE RIGHT SPOT AND WITH SUCH GREAT AIM AND STRENGTH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) YOUR AGGRESSIVE RETURNS WERE SO SOLID!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) IT WAS A FAST MATCH AND YOUR FITNESS IS BRILLIANT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) YOUR NET MAGIC AND REACH WAS BEAUTIFUL AND YOU PLAYED A GREAT MATCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) YOU COVERED THE ENTIRE COURT WITH YOUR BLESSED SPEED AND IT WAS FUN TO WATCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) VAMOS SWEETHEART!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) VERY HAPPY FOR YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) ; ) : ) ENJOY EVERYTHING AND CELEBRATE WITH YOUR PRECIOUS AWESOME TEAM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) THE BEST THING ABOUT WATCHING YOUR BRILLIANT STRONG TENNIS DEAR RAFA IS THE FACT THAT YOU ARE SO EXPRESSIVE AND FULLY PRESENT AND FOCUSED WITH EACH POINT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) VERY SPECIAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) YOUR MATCHES ARE SO EXCITING AND INTERESTING AND FULL OF HEART!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) CI…….CI…….CI…….SENIOR CHAMP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) IT IS NATURAL TO OCCASIONALLY MISS A FH OR A BH SLICE INTENDED TO GO OVER THE NET……NO BIG DEAL…… AND THE GREAT NEWS IS YOU KEEP GOING AND KEEP STRIDING FORWARD WITH YOUR DETERMINED INTENT AND CONTINUOUS IMMENSE POWER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) LOVE HOW YOU KEEP GOING AND YOU CONTINUE TO BE FULLY ENGAGED WITH THE NEXT NEW POINT AND GET THE MATCH ON YOUR COMMAND AND CLOSE A WIN !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 🙂 : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) VAMOS SWEETHEART!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) ; ) ; ) : ): ) : ) AND GO RAFA GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) YOUR TOP TOP TOP ENDURANCE AND TENNIS LEVEL IS EXCEPTIONAL AND VERY IMPRESSIVE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) I LIKED YOUR PASSIONATE REACH FOR EACH POINT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) THE CROWDS LOVE YOU AND THE WELCOME YOU RECEIVE EACH TIME UPON ENTERING THE COURT IS SO SPECIAL AND MOVING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) PRECIOUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) CI……..CI……..CI…….THERE WERE SO MANY GREAT THINGS ABOUT YOUR MATCH AND YOUR BEAUTIFUL TENNIS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) HAVE A VERY NICE EVENING AND A BEAUTIFUL TOMORROW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) ; ) ; ) : ) : ) IT WILL BE A GREAT DAY AND A GREAT MATCH FOR YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) WI……..WI……..WI……….WE LOVE YOU SWEETHEART AND SENDING LOTS OF LOVE & HAPPINESS & VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) KEEP SMILING ! : ) XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX
Rafa congratulations you can do it vamosssssssssss all the way love to watch you play ,❤️❤️❤️💪💪💪💪🎾🎾🎾🎾😍😍😍💪💪💪❤️❤️❤️😘😘😘👍👍👍🥰🥰🥰🥰💪💪💪💪🎾🎂😘
Love to watch you play. Tennis is not the same if you don’t play. Be strong and all the best of luck.
Rafa, you’re the best talent in tennis and such a caring gentleman from a long time player who is so proud of this sport.
If I could go off topic now and ask the question referring to the cheating scandal in college admissions…does this in anyway effect tennis? I have my thoughts; however, will not go down that path.
Rafa very well played match stay aggressive in next match, win it go Rafa go
M alegro d k avances Rafa… ADELANTE!!!!
stay healthy and beat everybody love to watch you play