Rafael Nadal has continued his march towards a record-extending 13th French Open title with a 7-6(4), 6-4, 6-1 win over Jannik Sinner in the late-night match on Philippe-Chatrier.
The Spanish great booked a semi-final berth against Diego Schwartzman, who reached his first grand slam semi-final with a 7-6(1), 5-7, 6-7(6), 7-6(5) win against the US Open champion Thiem in 5hr 8min. Rafa has won 10 of his 13 previous Roland Garros quarter-finals in straight sets.
“Now I have, well, I would say two days off, but almost 1 1/2,” Rafa said with a laugh. “But, yes, now it’s two days to practice, to rest a little bit and to recover, and just try to be ready for that semifinal.”
This was Rafa’s 100th match at Roland Garros. Our champ now has a 98-2 win-loss record at the clay court grand slam.
Only slept for three hours. Was so excited after the match. (Thanks to Covid-19, I can at least work from home) . What a great test for Rafa. I completely lost my nerve in the end of the 1. Set – I will never figure out how Rafa can win these important points. Especially after watching the long Thiem-Schwatzman match where they both missed so many crucial points. During the Thiem-Schwatzman match I also wondered who Rafa would prefer to meet in semifinal. I did not find an answer. No doubt Schwartzman knows how to play Rafa but in my opinion Rafa has the highest tennis IQ of all players – and I am sure he will solve this problem.
Congratulations Rafa !!!
Anxious first set, but he played really well. It’s ridiculous that the match finished at gone 1 o’clock in the morning, though! But never mind 🙂 .
setinthepast, I was very anxious the first set until Rafa closed it out. I was thinking that Rafa was a phenom at the same age as Sinner.
Once Rafa won the second set I was sure he was on his way to a straight-set win.
Diego is playing very well but did miss opportunities, as did Thiem, to finish the match earlier. If Diego becomes as nervous against Rafa as he did against Thiem, Rafa has to take advantage of every error Diego makes.
Always wishing Rafa the win.
Fortunately I have learnt a lot with your comments. Thank you for that. If there are among Rafael’s fan, doctors, lawyers, I woulld be interested to talk to them.
Have a nice day, all of you. It is Always a pleasure to read your comments. I hope Rafa knows that there are a lot of people who love him.
Good luck to our champ.
I am a doctor Mam…since I don’t know how many years….vamos Rafa#20
This was a good test. Rafa needed that after his long break. Well done champ. Take rest and all the best for friday. Vamos Rafa❤️
Thursday you mean, Rafa underscore 1310.
His next match is on Thursday, not Friday please.
But as always, we go point by point………..day by day, cheers!
Are you sure about that, has the day changed because everyone has Rafa’s semifinal scheduled for Friday?
Maria parenthesis snake island parenthesis, I’ve learned a lot here on Rafa’s site, including rope a dope. A long-time fan used the term a few years ago but I can’t remember who otherwise I would give her the credit. I guess you haven’t been here for very long.
Tough and strong-congrats, Rafael Nadal. You are giving us inspiration and belief in a difficult and challenging time. All the best in the next round; Diego is a fighter and is playing out of his head
these days-but you know what to do👏👍💪🤛🍀❤️
Congratulations again to Rafa for another win towards #13. Rest up, stay safe and keep that positive energy flowing.
RAFA*MAZING ROCKS
Very impressive victory against a tough opponent . Rafa will prevail over Diego if he gets more pop on his first serve . Diego was all over the second serve in Rome but I see a different outcome in this one .
I was on the end of my seat watching your game well done rafa great game hope you do well in the semi finals vamos rafa xxx
Sinner was good but Rafa’s problem-solving abilities prevailed.
As for Diego Schwartzman, well – he did beat Rafa in Rome, but as Mark Woodford has commented again and again, playing Rafa at the French Open which may go to five sets, is a very tall order indeed.
I was going to mention the different conditions: the weather and its effect on the clay and the Wilson balls as opposed to the Babolat ones – but I am confident our Champ shall overcome and do well.
March on Rafa! We believed in you! Vamos!
Rafa
Te deseo mucha suerte contra Diego. Cuídate y q Dios te Bendiga siempre.
Tu fan
Carmen❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
What a fantastic day (and night) of tennis. Just the test Rafa needed to make him battle hardened. He showed the young gun just why he’s been king for so long.
Very proud of our 12-time RG champ! He played against a very good, very young player and gave him a lesson! It was late, it was cold, but Rafa was hot! 🙂
Congratulations Rafa, you played so well. Onwards and upwards now. Wishing you the best of luck in the semis against Diego. Vamos x
Congratulations Rafa you played so well. Onwards and upwards now and Diego next, Vamos King x
Well donRafa you play so good vamossssssssss champ another French Open you can win again 🎾😘👍❤️🎾😘👍❤️🎾😘👍❤️🎾😘👍❤️🎾😘👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍❤️😘
Honestly, I thought that Sinner had a good chance to win, but in the end, it’s thanks Jannik, for giving Rafa a much-needed test. The only player since Rafa to make the quarter final at RG on his first attempt didn’t match Rafa to go on to win. The player to stop him – Rafa, 15 years his junior. Love it. Jannik will have a great career I think, but not just yet. Vamos Rafa!!!
Charly Moya told ATP tour that the only thing missing from Rafa’s preparation to win another R,G. was the fact that he had not yet been tested. He said he needed that.
I believe he is in better shape now because of that first set vs. Sinner.
Happy that Rafa has two days off now and reportedly will have one of the early matches Friday.
Thanks for the information, Pauline🙏
An interesting bit of trivia again from ATP tour: Rafa turned pro the year Sinner was born(2001) and became number1 two days after Sinner’s 7th birthday.
What a coincidence 🤔
98-2, two more to go, Rafa! Vamos💪❤️
Good luck against Diego🍀
Mimi, I hope Diego isn’t upset with us for rooting for Rafa. We just won’t tell him😂
Margo, I think Diego understand 😉
Rafa will beat him in straight sets!
🤞Mimi.
😊
Well done Rafa. Make sure you are ready for Diego though because he’s playing very well. Get some rest and good food. Good luck 😍
As mentioned here tonight/this morning?! Raphael played through cold, wind, a new and undaunted Italian, a different brad of tennis ball, playing far past a reasonable finish time, and so much more. What stood out to me was Raphael’s adjustment-intelligence, patience, and all-out confidence in his ability to win. I have never rooted so hard for you, champ. Avenge your Schwartzman loss in Rome and, if as expected, you were to play the Joker, show him who is THE CHAMP! Vamos Raphael!