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Rafael Nadal Monte Carlo Masters 2021
Rafa Nadal, Tennis News

‘It’s an important victory for me,’ Rafael Nadal overcomes Kei Nishikori


Rafael Nadal had to fight but has made it through to the quarter-finals once again in Barcelona by defeating Kei Nishikori in three sets. 

Rafael Nadal has reached his 14th career quarter-final at the Barcelona Open after conquering Kei Nishikori 6-0, 2-6, 6-2 in 2 hours and 19 minutes to bring his win-loss record against the Japanese star to 12-2.

“Kei [Nishikori] is an amazing player,” Nadal said in his post-match interview. “So, it’s an important victory for me. He played great I think after that first set and I started playing very well.

“But, it’s true that he [made] things a little bit easier at the beginning.”

 

 

Kei Nishikori has himself won Barcelona twice, in 2014 and 2015. The last man to win multiple Barcelona titles before Nadal and Nishikori was Thomas Muster, winning in 1995 and 1996.

“Later he increased a lot the level [of his play],” Nadal went on to add. “So it was very tough. But I found a way to be through.

“I think I played much better than yesterday. That’s a very important thing for me, and the level of positive energy has been higher. So, [I’m] very satisfied.”

Rafael Nadal will face Brit Cameron Norrie in the quarter-finals.

(Photo credit Ray Giubilo)


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