Rafael Nadal

Rafael Nadal enjoyed a winning return after a six-week injury break, opening his Madrid campaign with a 6-1, 7-6 (7/4) success over Serbia's Miomir ...

I’m very happy with the attitude today, so hopefully we’ll continue with this level.” “I was more aggressive this time, physically much better on the court. “Simona, it’s never easy to play against her, she’s a great champion, she was number one, a Grand Slam champion,” said the 27-year-old Jabeur, who is now 2-2 against Halep in their head-to-head. After a fairly routine opening set and a brief rain delay, Nadal faced significant resistance from the world number 32, who was broken in game five of the second set but struck back immediately as he started to find his range from the baseline. Nadal found an opening at 5-5 and broke on his first opportunity, thanks to a long backhand from Kecmanovic. The number three seed could not serve out the win though, dropping serve as Kecmanovic forced a tie-break. Nadal said his preparation for the tournament was “non-existent” due to his rib problem limiting his ability to train and was thrilled by how well he played against one of the most in-form players of the season.

RAFAEL NADAL won the first match of his injury comeback against Miomir Kecmanovic in Madrid.

Nadal's victory on Wednesday also means he keeps up his streak of never having lost in the opening round at a clay tournament. The five-time former champion in Madrid was grateful for his battle against the 22-year-old Serb, adding: "Well of course I need to improve but matches like today, one hour 55 on court helps without a doubt, no? Nadal needed almost two hours to come through his first match in 45 days against the world No 32.

He will debut in singles on Tuesday 3 May on "Manolo Santana" against Georgian Nikoloz Basilashvili. Carlos Alcaraz does not want to be satisfied and will ...

"The tournament can be defined with two people: Manolo Santana, who convinced the mayor and the people believed in the project thanks to him, and the other is Rafa Nadal," Lopez said. The Spaniard, who has won Roland Garros a record 13 times, will be looking to come into his own ahead of the tournament, which begins later this month. It is always difficult to play on these fields, ”he commented.

Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates victory in his third round match against Miomir Kecmanovic of Serbia on day seven of Mutua Madrid Open at La Caja Magica on May ...

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Rafael Nadal defeated Miomir Kecmanovic in two sets to reach the third round at the Madrid Open on Wednesday.

Nadal was broken twice, including while serving for the match at 6-5, but eventually prevailed in the tiebreaker by converting his first match point with an ace. I just lost focus in the first set,'' Zverev said. He lost to Stefanos Tsitsipas in the Monte Carlo semifinals. Tournament organizers said Nadal asked to play in the afternoon so his match would not coincide with Madrid's semifinal game against Manchester City. The second set I don't consider it a bad set, but as I am saying, when you have been a long time without competing, it's normal that you have up-and-downs in a match because you have to recover your routine." Nadal showed few signs of rustiness in his 6-1, 7-6 (4) opening win at home.

Rafael Nadal powered past Serbian Miomir Kecmanovic 6-1, 7-6(4) to reach the third round of the Madrid Open on his return to the ATP Tour.

- ATP Tour - ATP Tour - ATP Tour - ATP Tour Marin is a difficult opponent, especially with the altitude here, so I am happy with this match. I just lost focus in the first set,” Zverev said.

Rafael Nadal says his recovery from his rib injury is "unpredictable" despite appearing in good shape in his win over Miomir Kecmanovic at the Madrid Open.

“If you come back and if you win the first matches, then you're able to get your rhythm back again. "I think that yesterday [Tuesday] I started to feel a little bit better, and today also in the warm-up I was feeling well. "I have trained very, very little. I have had better days, worse days. You have to be truthful to yourself. "You have to be sincere with yourself whenever you can.

The Australian Open champion was playing in his first event since picking up the injury at Indian Wells in March but showed little signs of rust, ...

"I don't have any pain in my rib. I just think that every minute that I am out there on the court is something positive," the 35-year-old said. "I leave the match very, very happy.

Playing his first match in six weeks, Rafael Nadal defeated Miomir Kecmanovic 6-1, 7-6 in the Madrid Masters second round. Rafa needed an hour and 55 ...

Rafa hit a smash winner at 5-4 in the tie break for two match points and landed an ace on the first to emerge at the top. He grabbed the first after Miomir's backhand error to move 6-5 in front and serve for the victory. Rafa drew first blood in the encounter's fourth game with a smash winner and fired an unreturned serve in the next one for 4-1.

Rafael Nadal notched a "really important" victory at the Madrid Open as he believes the win will aid his recovery and help him to regain his rhythm ...

“I don’t have any pain in my rib. “If you come back and if you win the first matches, then you’re able to get your rhythm back again. “I think that yesterday [Tuesday] I started to feel a little bit better, and today also in the warm-up I was feeling well. I have had better days, worse days. “I have trained very, very little. You have to be truthful to yourself.

MADRID -- Rafael Nadal got off to a good start in his return from injury, defeating Miomir Kecmanovic in two sets to reach the third round at the Madrid Open on Wednesday. Nadal showed few signs of rustiness in his 6-1, 7-6 (4) opening win at home.

Nadal was broken twice, including while serving for the match at 6-5, but eventually prevailed in the tiebreaker by converting his first match point with an ace. He lost to Stefanos Tsitsipas in the Monte Carlo semifinals. Tournament organizers said Nadal asked to play in the afternoon so his match would not coincide with Madrid's semifinal game against Manchester City. The second set I don't consider it a bad set, but as I am saying, when you have been a long time without competing, it's normal that you have up-and-downs in a match because you have to recover your routine." "In general I have done a good match. Nadal showed few signs of rustiness in his 6-1, 7-6 (4) opening win at home.

After returning from rib injury to win his first match in Madrid, the Spaniard explained that it's not that comebacks come easier to him—it's that he ...

Having got the win, he now wants to keep playing at home in Spain while also getting back in shape for potentially another record-breaking run at the French Open. "I need to stay positive,'' said the third seed. "They have a really big value, and today's victory, for me it's really important." "From there onwards you have to build your game. Gael Monfils; Jessica Pegula vs. Simona Halep, Rafael Nadal vs. Madrid Previews and Picks: Novak Djokovic vs.

The 21-time Grand Slam champion battled past David Goffin in a Madrid thriller today, 6-3, 5-7, 7-6 (9), to achieve both milestones.

First off, it was the 1,050th win of Nadal's career. Facts & Stats Facts & Stats

Tennis - Nadal could meet Carlos Alcaraz in the Madrid quarter-final.

Another smash winner created the fourth match point for Goffin, and Nadal saved it with a drop shot winner for 9-9. Goffin earned the third match point at 7-6, and Nadal denied it with a drop shot winner to extend the drama. Goffin held at 15 in game 11, and Nadal responded in the 12th to introduce a tie break. David survived deuce in the ninth game to remain on the positive side, and Rafa fired another powerful serve for a hold at love a few minutes later. Rafa held at love in game eight to lock the result at 4-4 and increase the drama. Rafa placed a forehand winner to wrap up the set in style and gain a boost ahead of the second.

RAFAEL NADAL neede three sets to defeat David Goffin and book his place in Friday's quarter-final at the Madrid Masters.

Having hit a purple patch late, Goffin continued his run of games as he won the last four of the second set to close it out 7-5 and force a decider, saving two match points en route. It means Nadal reaches the 99th Masters 1000 quarter-final of his career, where he will next face the winner of tonight's third-round match between Carlos Alcaraz and Cam Norrie. He faced the young Spaniard exactly a year ago in the second round, on what was Alcaraz's 18th birthday. He followed it up with a double-fault but managed to hold into his lead as both players continued to hold on for the next few games. He roared again when setting up another match point of his own at 10-9 and this time managed to clinch the mini-break and close out a 6-3 5-7 7-6(9) victory after more than three hours. From a break down at 2-3, Nadal went on to win the next four games in a row to close out a 6-3 first set in 48 minutes. Rafael Nadal advanced to the last-eight in Madrid by the skin of his teeth with a 6-3 5-7 7-6(9) win over David Goffin in the third-round after three hours and 10 minutes.

Rafael Nadal saved four match points to battle past David Goffin in an exhausting 6-3 5-7 7-6(9) win and reach the quarter-finals of the Madrid Open.

Nadal eventually got across the line on his fourth match point, taking the tie-break 11-9, sparking triumphant celebrations to the crowd’s applause. Nadal raced into a 4-1 lead before a routine forehand found the net and Goffin’s fine cross-court shot, one of his finest shots of the afternoon, made it 4-3. He grabbed it up with a straining, low shot across court to haul the set back to 5-5 and then held for 6-5, before breaking again to take the set, with the Belgian now looking physically fresher.

Rafael Nadal might need time to find his best form after missing six weeks due to a stress fracture in his ribs. But on Thursday at the Mutua Madrid Open, ...

I enjoy playing in front of my people, seeing the support that I receive. “Working is not that easy, because when you start again, you have pains, pains in different places, so you need to manage them. “Mobility, stability in terms of [my] game, and of course adapting the body again. “We have to be ready tomorrow, being ready to accept that tomorrow things may not be easy. You have to learn how to live with these kind of moments, and also to enjoy this kind of suffering,” Nadal said. “At the end of the day you're suffering in the match.

Rafael Nadal paid tribute to Real Madrid for inspiring him to a battling win over David Goffin as he reached the quarter-finals of the Madrid Open.

ATP Madrid “Honestly, [it was] very tough. ATP Madrid

Rafael Nadal, the 21-time Grand Slam champion and world No. 4, says he limps on “many days of my life” because of a “chronic foot injury.”

But at the same time I am not completely happy because I have to finish the match in straight sets, without a doubt.” I think if I play a pretty good game, I'll have chances to win.” It's going to be a great day and a great match." Djokovic was scheduled Thursday to play three-time major champion and former world No. 1 Andy Murray, but advanced in a walkover because Murray dealt with a bout of food poisoning. But I am also conscious for [Friday], because I can wake up with more problems and we have to accept and face it.” “If you saw me on a daily basis, you would not be worried because I limp on many days of my life,” Nadal said.