(AP) – Top-seeded Rafael Nadal rallied to reach the Rogers Cup semifinals Friday night, beating No. 7 Fabio Fognini of Italy 2-6, 6-1, 6-2.
The winner last year in Toronto for his fourth title in the event, Rafa won his 380th ATP Masters 1000 match, a day after breaking a tie with Roger Federer for the tour record. Rafa has 82 singles victories, winning the French Open in June for his second title of the year.
”It was an up-and-down match, but a positive match for me,” Rafa said. ”I have been playing better and better.”
MONTREAL, QC – AUGUST 09: General view of IGA Stadium during the ATP Coupe Rogers quarterfinal match on August 9, 2019 at IGA Stadium in Montréal, QC (Photo by David Kirouac/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
MONTREAL, QC – AUGUST 09: Shoes worn by Rafael Nadal of Spain as he serves against Fabio Fognini of Italy during day 8 of the Rogers Cup at IGA Stadium on August 9, 2019 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)
MONTREAL, QC – AUGUST 09: Rafael Nadal of Spain serves against Fabio Fognini of Italy during day 8 of the Rogers Cup at IGA Stadium on August 9, 2019 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)
epa07765160 Rafael Nadal of Spain in action against Fabio Fognini of Italy during their quater-final match at the Rogers Cup tennis tournament in Montreal, Canada, 09 August 2019. EPA-EFE/VALERIE BLUM
MONTREAL, QC – AUGUST 09: Rafael Nadal of Spain reacts as he loses a point against Fabio Fognini of Italy during day 8 of the Rogers Cup at IGA Stadium on August 9, 2019 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)
MONTREAL, QC – AUGUST 09: Rafael Nadal of Spain reacts as he loses a point against Fabio Fognini of Italy during day 8 of the Rogers Cup at IGA Stadium on August 9, 2019 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)
epa07765159 Rafael Nadal of Spain reacts while in action against Fabio Fognini of Italy during their quater-final match at the Rogers Cup tennis tournament in Montreal, Canada, 09 August 2019. EPA-EFE/VALERIE BLUM
MONTREAL, QC – AUGUST 09: Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates after winning against Fabio Fognini of Italy during day 8 of the Rogers Cup at IGA Stadium on August 9, 2019 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Rafael Nadal of Spain defeated Fabio Fognini of Italy 2-6, 6-1, 6-2. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)
August 9, 2019, Montreal, PQ, Canada: Rafael Nadal of Spain hits the ball in between his legs to return to Fabio Fognini of Italy during quarter-finals play at the Rogers Cup tennis tournament Friday August 9, 2019 in Montreal., Image: 463892543, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: * Canada and U.S. RIGHTS OUT *, Model Release: no, Credit line: Profimedia, Zuma Press
MONTREAL, QC – AUGUST 09: Rafael Nadal of Spain salutes the spectators after his victory against Fabio Fognini of Italy during day 8 of the Rogers Cup at IGA Stadium on August 9, 2019 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Rafael Nadal of Spain defeated Fabio Fognini of Italy 2-6, 6-1, 6-2. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)
MONTREAL, QC – AUGUST 09: Rafael Nadal of Spain salutes the spectators after his victory against Fabio Fognini of Italy during day 8 of the Rogers Cup at IGA Stadium on August 9, 2019 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Rafael Nadal of Spain defeated Fabio Fognini of Italy 2-6, 6-1, 6-2. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)
In the semifinals, the 33-year-old Spanish star will face No. 10 Roberto Bautista Agut of Spain or No. 16 Gael Monfils of France. That quarterfinal was postponed until Saturday due to inclement weather with Monfils leading 30-0 in the first game of the first set.
Fognini beat Rafa in their last meeting in the Monte Carlo Masters semifinals.
”I lost things on the road, so I just tried to add other things,” Rafa said. ”One of the things that I’m most satisfied with is I’ve been able to always find a solution to keep being competitive at the highest level.”
Source: AP
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So glad that you,Rafa, can see ahead enough to not give in but to get more positive for the next point.That truly is a strength in itself!!! Onward !!!Vamos
Well don Rafa congratulations wish you all the best for the next apponent,vamossssssssss all the way.love your fans 🇺🇸💪🎾😘❤️🇺🇸💪🎾😘❤️🇺🇸💪🎾😘❤️🇺🇸💪🎾😘❤️🇺🇸💪🎾😘❤️🌎
Rafa, you are truly amazing to watch…Good luck in the finals!!!!!
Nancy I agree with you 150% but Rafa must first win his semifinal.
RAFAMAZING IS RAFANTASTIC
Congratulation Rafa well played
Phew! Crisis averted. A sloppy first set from Rafa, but i’m so relieved that he managed to turn things around.
Bis, that may be so but a win is a win. I have to admit though I was VERY surprised about the score line. I was rooting for Thiem.
RAFAMAZING ROCKS
Congrats to Rafa for pulling himself out of a deep hole in the first set. On to the semifinals.
RAFAMAZING ROCKS
Bravo Nadal 😀 Rafael I prayed for you as always, went to bed late last night but did not turn on to see if it had started , I do not want bad dreams 😯 a joy this morning 😅 I see his poster of R Garros 2011 on my bedroom wall when I waké up ☺ Fognini out I was not pleased to see him in the Monte Carlo final when I was there as I paid to see Nadal 😕 Thiem out , one less threat to Rafa . Fiona in Paris
There is 6 hours time span between Montréal and Paris Fiona in Paris
Well done champ. Happy for the win after a tough first set.
Happy to see you find a solution for FF-congratulations. Always gracious, but a gratifying win💪
Rafael-stay match tough and healthy. Good luck in the next round-we, along with you, are confident
and strong👍👏🤛🍀❤️
I was not happy after that first set, but he got there!
Well done Rafa ! Wish you all the best for your next opponent ! Take care champion !
Hopefully Rafa gains some confidence after beating Foggy. He’ll need that should he reach the final to face either Khachanov or Medvedev.
I think Monfils/Agut may not be much trouble for Rafa when having to play two matches in one day.
I think Medvedev is someone to worry about because Rafa has not played against him before. Medvedev is playing very well at the moment, full of confidence, and he’s serving big and hitting hard flat shots, very difficult to defend against.
If Rafa has to face Medvedev, I hope he is ready and starts more positively and not allowing Medvedev to take control of the points.
Hi Luckystar,
You are right about Medvedev. The way he beat Thiem today was very impressive!👏
Thiem admitted he had a cold and didn’t feel well