Rafael Nadal continued his quest for a maiden Paris Masters title with a 6-1, 7-6(3) victory against Australian Jordan Thompson to reach the quarterfinals on Thursday.
The 20-time grand slam champion will next face fellow Spaniard Pablo Carreno Busta, who beat German Jan-Lennard Struff 7-6(3), 6-2.
The World No. 2 saved a set point on his serve at 5-6 in the second set, winning a grueling 26-shot rally in which his final forehand, which elicited a backhand error from Thompson, clipped the baseline. Rafa surged through the ensuing tie-break to emerge victorious after one hour and 33 minutes.
“He started to serve well. I missed a couple of returns I shouldn’t have,” said Rafa. “It was close. I suffered until the end but I found a way to win the tie-break.”
Mimi @10:45pm
That’s great news for sure Mimi. He’s probably ecstatic and for good reason. I didn’t get to watch his match; was he that bad or was Medvedev that good?
I hope Rafa can take care of Zverev.
Margo, I didn’t watch Diego vs Medvedev match either.
I hope so too, and good luck to Rafa🍀❤️
I noticed Ferrer was watching Rafa vs PCB match.
Wow Beast mode on Guys
Vamos Rafa
👍😊
That’s what I was waiting for Khawartaimoor; my stomach was in knots. Feeling a lot better now.
Same here Margo… Hope for a good beginning today
Too many unforced errors fom Rafa in the first set. I’m looking for him to tidy up his game and be more aggressive in the second.
You got your wish Lorna.
Third set, all to play for. Steady on Rafa and go for the win!
Rafa is playing good but PCB is even better but Rafa is a problem solving Champ….come on Rafa
Look at the PCB ist serve percentage
Rafa or PCB vs Alex or Stan: not before 4:30pm local time, not before 7:30am pacific time tomorrow.
One match at a time Rafa. Vamos💪🍀❤️
Very nice pix from the match, but the write-up has the score backwards. It was 6-1, 7-6 (3)
PCB beat Struff 7-6(3), 6-2
Poor Diego got slaughtered 😥
Diego: “It was a day everything went wrong……I hope Rafa wins.”
Mimi, I feel for Diego’s die-hard fans especially since he lost so emphatically.
😔
Buy hey Diego finally clinched the final spot.👏 Congratulations to him, he deserves it. He has had a good season 😊
Correction: but hey, sorry.
Just get it done Rafa.
Geezzzz
Diego just lost to Medvedev. Waiting to see how Stan holds up.
I was hoping Diego would earn his first victory against Medvedev to secure the last place.
I think Rafa will take care of business for him though.
Rafa good luck vamosssssss champ🎾❤️👍🎾
You are on your way!! Vamos!!!!
Stan is a real pro’s pro. Down a set to the hot Rublev Stan comes back and wins it in three sets. Gutsy tennis. Stan could make the final with Rafa.
Rafa and Stan are in the same half of the draw, so they can’t meet in the final.
Yay!! Go Rafa! Love the outfit too!
Even though indoor might not be his favorite i think Rafa looks so well and happy- looks like he really enjoy playing tennis. Love to see his problem solving skills during the games.
Well done Rafa. Good luck for tomorrow❤️
Great win today-best of luck in next round. Stay safe.👏👍🤛💪🍀🥰
Rafa vs Pablo Carreno Busta: not before 6:30pm local time, not before 9:30am pacific time
👏💪 Rafa
Good luck against PCB tomorrow!