Rafa Nadal defeated Briton Cam Norrie 6-4 6-4 to reach the quarter-finals in Bastad on Thursday, mounting a terrific second-set comeback in an encouraging display for the Spaniard’s fans ahead of the Paris Olympics.
The former world number one skipped Wimbledon to prepare for the Olympic tournament and the plan appeared to be paying off as he rallied back from 4-1 down in the second set to set up a meeting with Argentine fourth seed Mariano Navone.
The 38-year-old wild card Nadal fired off a dozen winners and fended off both break points in the first set, breaking Norrie’s serve on the third try in the seventh game.
Nadal, who missed almost all of 2023 with a hip problem, looked to have lost momentum when down a break in the second set but he mounted a furious comeback, winning 14 points in a row.
“I haven’t been competing very often, so matches and victories like today help,” Nadal was quoted as saying by the ATP.
“To be in rhythm the whole match and hold the pressure on the opponent the whole match, that’s something that I need to improve, because I didn’t play enough.”
Source: Reuters
Well done Rafa❤️ so happy for you🥹
I was very pleased with how Rafa has played in both singles and doubles. You can see how much he is enjoying himself. The stands have been packed with fans too. Every time I can watch him play now is a gift.
Rafa’s mental agility and superb shit making never left him. The thing that concerned me was his energy levels, especially given some of the long rallies, but he did well. I’m so impressed by his fight back in the second set and that will give him confidence moving forward.
I am grateful for every minute you have on court and the wins, well – they give me hope that all of ’23 was just a bleep in your amazing career. The come-back is slowly happening….slowly but surely.
Ojalá……
Great comeback, Rafa. How you have been missed! Congrats👏👍🎾🍀🥰
I thought it went really well. Fingers crossed for the Olympics. Nice to see Baby Rafa at the end!
Well done.. keep it ipChamp!
I knew he would win after watching him closely, his serves, movements and energy.
I am beyond thrilled, more to come hopefully, hope he maintains his health!
form is temporary. class is permanent. well done Rafa, vamos! i just hope he is tuned and ready for the Olympics and his body holds up on the USO after that
There is no guarantee that he will play the USO. Entry lists are preliminary only. Remember he was on the entry list for Wimbledon as well and didn’t play. He has stated that he will decide after the Olympics whether he will carry on or not. We will know soon.
i want him to be healthy first and foremost. hard courts have been injuring him of late and TBH if there is a chance that he is not 💯 he shouldn’t play. i believe his last event is the laver cup, but thats a very slow hardcourt so doubles may be Ok, but that’s it
Incredible victory!👏 Vamos Rafa!💪🫶