[5] Rafael Nadal (ESP) vs. [10] David Goffin (BEL)
This was a much-anticipated rematch after the questionable line call in their last encounter that changed the whole dynamic of the match where Goffin was clearly dominating Nadal. How would Goffin start off this match and did he have revenge on his mind? He did not start off as sharp as he did in their last encounter; however, he pushed Nadal all the way in the first set, a testament of his tenacity. Nadal also came out better prepared for this encounter and protected his serve much better than he did in their first meeting. The first set was very competitive and it was only fitting that it ended in a tiebreak.
Nadal elevated his game to another level in the second set and Goffin was unable to keep up. As we have seen so often from Nadal when he was at his best, he wears his opponents down in the first set and then breaks them mentally in the second and that’s what he did again today. He won 7-6(3), 6-2 and advanced to the semifinals where he will play Novak Djokovic for the right to contest his sixth final of the season. This is the blockbuster match that everyone has been waiting for since the draw came out.
Will it live up to the hype?
Will Djokovic continue his dominance over Nadal or will Nadal re-establish his dominance on clay?
SOURCE OF IMAGE: Bing search (RafaelNadalFans)
SPECIAL MENTION: Alexander Zverev lost to Pablo Cuevas 6-3, 0-6, 4-6. Not to take anything away from Cuevas; however, Zverev was clearly fatigued.
I don’t think Nadal anticipated the first set would be so competitive. I must say that the first set made me a bit nervous. A bit…I am always confident that Nadal will win, and indeed he did it again.