This was a difficult match for Rafa that is now just a couple of matches away to regain the world no.1 status.
Nadal had to face a very good Kohlschreiber that wasn’t really intimidated by a horrible 10-1 (now 11-1) head to head record against Rafa.
The German played a really good match to exchange 2 consecutive breaks and counter breaks in the first set to fall just in the 10th game. In the second set Rafa and Philipp went straight to the tiebreak without dropping a single service game. In the breaker Rafa showed once again that his focus is second to none to grab a decisive 6-2 lead and win at 3. Match Stats
Rafa: I won because I played a great match
Nadal had good words for Philipp to comment “Today the serve, in my opinion, helped in the important moments. But it’s true that his level of tennis I think was just brilliant tonight. I won because I played a great match. If not, I would not be here with a victory.”
Next vs. Fognini
Rafa will play Fabio Fognini for a place in the final 4. Head to head is 2-0 for Rafa.that has defeated Fabio twice in 2013 without dropping a single set.
