Two Wins on Friday Propel Nadal Into Barcelona Semis

April 26, 2013 | By Long Island Tennis Magazine Staff
Rafael_Nadal_03_10
Photo credit: Kenneth B. Goldberg

Rafael Nadal played two matches on Friday to reach the semifinals of the 2013 Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell. In the semis, Nadal will face Milos Raonic for a shot at the finals and the opportunity to add an eighth Barcelona title to his trophy case. Nadal is looking to reach his sixth final in six tournaments this year, having re-captured his winning ways since his return from a seven-month layoff in February due to a knee injury.

In Nadal’s first match of the day in the morning, he advanced to the quarterfinals by beating Benoit Paire of France 7-6 (2), 6-2. His meeting with Paire was re-scheduled from Thursday’s rainout. With the win over Paire, Nadal extended his winning streak on the Real Club de Tenis’ red clay to 36 straight matches, with his last loss dating back 10 years.

In Nadal’s afternoon tilt of the day, he needed a little over an hour to defeat his fellow countryman Albert Ramos 6-3, 6-0, further extending his unbeaten streak in Barcelona to 37 consecutive wins. 

“I played much better this afternoon than in the morning,” Nadal said. “I’m very happy to be in the semifinals another time in a very important tournament. I’m enjoying the week playing here. I love the tournament. I know everybody well. It feels like home, always."

Raonic advanced to the semis for the second straight year after beating Tommy Robredo 6-7(5), 6-3, 7-6(2). Like Nadal, Raonic was forced to win two matches, having defeated qualifier Ernests Gulbis earlier in the day. Raonic is looking for his first win against Nadal, with the 11-time major champion taking their first two meetings in 2010 and 2011 at the ATP World Tour 500 event in Tokyo.

“Tommy’s been playing really well this week. I’m happy with my performance and what I managed to accomplish today,” said Raonic. “Rafa on clay is tougher than Rafa in general. But I’m Milos, so I got to go out there and do my job. I need to try and make him adjust to me more than myself to him.”


Long Island Tennis Magazine Staff
Pointset
Oneononedoubles banner art resize

March/April 2024 Digital Edition