All-time Slam king Rafa Nadal survived a scare from Sebastian Korda before winning his second round match in three sets at Indian Wells.
Our champ was stretched to the limit before prevailing 6-2, 1-6, 7-6(3) in the match that lasted two hours, 29 minutes in the California desert.
After the match, Rafa said:
“I was very lucky today because I probably played one of the worst matches of the year. Sometimes you win matches like this. I fighted, it’s true, and I am through. I am very happy for that and I am going to try to be better the next day.”
His victory over the American puts him within one win of a major milestone: it is the 399th Masters 1000 win of his career.
Rafa improved to 16-0 on the year and is yet to lose an opening match at the BNP Paribas Open in 15 appearances.
Our champ next faces 27th seed Daniel Evans, a 6-2, 6-0 winner over Federico Coria earlier on Saturday.
Nobody can play well in every match. It’s an old cliche, but the hallmark of a champion is that they can win when having an off day, and that’s what Rafa did.
Rafa the Fighter. You had all of us on hands/knees and almost drink…you did it Champion. That is the end of dodgy games. I was worried about that treatment to your left hand, so hopefully that is now resolved. Congratulations. Buena Suerte in your next match. Vamos
What a thriller and well done rafa
What a match and what a fight👍
Rafa won today despite being totally outplayed by Korda. I attribute the victory to Rafa’s experience in taking 5he tiebreaker . Korda has no real excuse for failing to close out Rafa with 2 service games other than Rafa not going to give away the match when faced with the loss . Difficult to explain or comprehend but Rafa moves on but definitely needs to pick up his service game to have any chance for this title .
Congratulations To the biggest fighter of sport…. Moving on to the next one… don’t give us heart attack like that one…phewwww
I had almost given up on Rafa, but I should know better. He truly has the heart of a champion. Several people noticed him walking gingerly, but Rafa seemed to say he would be ready for Monday. I really don’t assume that Rafa will continue to win. but I hate to see him lose either. More important is for Rafa not to be injured.
What an amazing comeback! Korda served twice to win but our great champion showed his great resilience to get to a tie breaker. The rest is history. He was so low key and gracious in his interview on tv tennis. I’m exhausted as it was edge of the seat stuff. Wonderful Rafa. Perhaps that’s his ” dodgy” match out of the way .🤞
Gosh! Rafa was certainly living on the edge. Apparently, this was the third match at IW in which Rafa has come back from the brink in the third set like this. He has to serve a lot better moving forward, as 8 double faults isn’t going to cut it.
I thought I saw Rafa walking a little gingerly towards the interviewer after the match, but I hope it’s nothing…..
He didn’t mention foot problems so I trust it was just as he said, a bad day
🤞🙏 Vamos Rafa💪
Great comeback again, did they ever do an interview with Rafa on Tennis channel? I waited for over a half hour after he won the match, but had to go out and never saw if it was done..?
Yes
I had the same experience. I didn’t give up on the match but I did give up on seeing the Tennis Channel interview.
I’m glad there was no mention by Rafa of a problem with his foot. But I also know that if there was a problem he would not mention it.
Congratulations Rafa you had me on the edge of my seat. Onwards and upwards now to the next round. Vamos x
I didn’t give up when Rafa was down 5-2 in the third set but I was not real confident either.
But how is his foot, that’s the big question. If anyone hears anything please let us know.
Enhorabuena!!! Por tu mentalidad y tu esfuerzo de superación, eres increíble, te felicito esta noche más por todo esto que por tu juego, Vamos y siempre contigo
Rafael Nadal-what a thriller😂you are a magician. Congrats on a fantastic win👍👏🤛💪🍀🎾❤️
Damn it!!!
Rafa is pushing his luck – best be careful!!!!
Hmmmnn,.but we’d see….