Real’s UEFA Champions League heroics inspire Spaniard Rafael Nadal to enter Madrid Open quarter-finals
Real Madrid players celebrate after defeating Manchester City on Wednesday. Pic/Getty Images
Rafael Nadal said on Thursday he drew inspiration from Real Madrid’s heroic comeback against Manchester City less than 24 hours previously as he survived a scare from David Goffin, saving four match points en route to a tight 6-3, 5-7, 7-6 (11/9) victory in the Madrid Open. The win kept alive Nadal’s quest for a record-extending sixth title in the Spanish capital and earned him a spot in the quarter-finals, where he faces his compatriot Carlos Alcaraz.
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Alcaraz beats Norrie
Seventh seed Alcaraz celebrated his 19th birthday with a battling 6-4, 6-7(4/7), 6-3 over British World No.11 Cameron Norrie. On Wednesday, Real scored in extra time to stun City 3-1 to set up a UEFA Champions League final with Liverpool later this month.
Rafael Nadal
Nadal, a 21-time major champion, was contesting just his second match after a six-week break due to a rib injury and rebounded from tricky moments during his showdown with Goffin, who has a career-high ranking of seventh but is currently down to 60 in the world. “Yesterday has been an unforgettable night. The spirit that the Real Madrid team have is just incredible and for me today in some way has been an inspiration,” said the 35-year-old, who attended the game at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Djoko in semis
Novak Djokovic reached his seventh Madrid semi-final on Friday, easing past Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz 6-3, 6-4 to record a 30th career victory in the Spanish capital.
Defending champion
Alexander Zverev also punched his ticket to the quarter-finals after his opponent Lorenzo Musetti retired from their match in the second set with a left thigh injury.
Jabeur in final
In the women’s event, eighth seed Ons Jabeur advanced to the biggest final of her career, where she will face Jessica Pegula, with an impressive 6-2, 6-3 victory over Ekaterina Alexandrova.
American Pegula ended the run of Switzerland’s Jil Teichmann with a comfortable 6-3, 6-4 victory in the second semi-final. It will be the 12th seed’s first final at this level and first in a singles tournament since losing to Serena Williams in Auckland in January 2020.
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