Rafael Nadal’s return to the match court will be a highly anticipated affair — at least by exhibition standards — and it will come against a familiar foe.
Nadal is set for a Mubadala World Tennis Championship semifinal showdown against Andy Murray on Friday night after Murray defeated Dan Evans during quarterfinal action on Thursday. As one of the top two seeds along with Andrey Rublev, Nadal received an opening bye in the six-man field. Rublev will kick off his campaign against Denis Shapovalov in Saturday’s first semifinal.
Murray had no trouble easing past Evans 6-3, 6-2. In the all-British battle, the 34-year-old broke his compatriot five times in eight return games — including three times in succession to begin the second set. Murray dropped his own serve once it each set — including at 5-1 in the first — but it hardly mattered given his dominance from the baseline.
Now it will be Murray vs. Nadal for the third time at this Abu Dhabi event.
“I played one great match against Nadal here,” the Scot reflected. “We played one really tough match, a sort of epic match, and another where I won very comfortably, and it was probably one of the best matches I’ve ever played over the years.
“I didn’t know whether I was going to get the opportunity to play matches like that again. Rafa’s someone that I’ve had some great battles with at some of the biggest tournaments in the world. It’ll be great. Hopefully we can put on a great performance.”
Their 7:00 pm match will be immediately preceded by Rublev vs. Shapovalov. The Canadian booked his place in that contest by beating Taylor Fritz 6-3, 6-0. Both Fritz and Evans were replacements following late withdrawals by Dominic Thiem and Casper Ruud.
who ya got?
Anyone seen Rafa’s matches?
Don’t think it matters at all that he lost both. That’s expected after being out so long.
What really matters is the foot and how he feels physically.
Would be grateful if anyone has comments/insights.
@genny_ss has posted Rafa’s comments and interviews afterwards. He seemed mostly positive but said he wasn’t 100% sure re the AO this year. That he’d talk to his team during the next few days and they’d evaluate where he is.
I saw some highlights and bits of the matches. Rafa seemed ok. He was close in two of the four sets he lost, just a bit rusty, I thought. After his long injury in 2012 it took him two clay court 250’s in SA before he started playing really well again so I’m not at all surprised. I didn’t expect him to win v Andy, who’s been playing very well but having trouble holding up physically for more than a couple matches in a row. Shapo’s always been a bit of a tough out for him.
Also just noticed that Rafanadalfans.com has an article up with quotes from Rafa’s last presser.
Thanks Ramara! Like nny all I really care about is the foot e.g. how fast he is on court and how he is moving.
I haven’t seen any highlights.
I did read somewhere that Rafa said he was a second or so slower…
Rafa is back in action! I checked the tennis channel and saw him playing Shapo, it seems like forever since I saw him.
All I care about is how his foot is. He is going to be very rusty and out of form. I want him to be able to play without pain.
Hello nny! I haven’t been here in ages! I agree with you that all that matters is the foot. Losing a couple of matches means nothing.
I hope you are well dear nny?! I have been thinking of you…
amy,
Great to see you here! I have had you in my thoughts. I got my booster vaccine two weeks ago. Easier this time then getting the first two shots. It is maddening how these variants keep popping up. Our governor is basically ignoring the virus and letting people die. Little Hitler is what I call him. He is doing so many bad things here. The Republicans are too busy trying to rig the next election. I assume you have kept up on the news
We can chat about it in the non-tennis forum. I can’t get my knee replacement as long as we keep having these flare ups. I am furious over the unvaccinated people on this country who would rather die and keep spreading this than just get a vaccine.
I saw Rafa play Shapo, I want to know how his foot is. I read that he tested positive for Covid. Just what he needs now. I don’t know if he can come back from being out do long. Can he play competitively? I don’t know.
Nny, very glad you have had the booster dear nny!
I only just got mine.
The anti-vaxxer lobby is borderline insane and full of alt right talking points. Also deeply anti-Semitic.
I find it very difficult now to read about American politics because I actually feel physically ill when I do. But yes, I am, unfortunately, in the know and in despair. De Santis is one of the very worst. So he wants his own militia now?!😠😠😠😠 They aren’t even pretending any more…
I don’t know about Rafa! But if his foot is good then I am genuinely upbeat about his chances of winning slams again. What I worry about is that the problem recurs again….Fingers firmly crossed!
Very sorry about the knee nny. The wards are full of unvaccinated people so that even those with cancer can’t get treated.
Lovely to see you dear!
Xxx
amy,
I know that I am not the only one who can’t get elective surgery now. The cortisone shots stopped working a while back. But they said it’s just too risky to go to a hospital with the unvaccinated people.
That thing with firming his own militia was sickening. Little Hitler is not even trying to pretend that he is anything other than an autocratic Trump wannabe. Anti-vaxxers are all over the place here.
I am very depressed reading about the political situation here. The Republicans are not even trying to hide their intention to steal the next election. People here are so stupid! Republicans don’t stand for anything and cannot govern. The Supreme Court is a disaster. Never in my life did I think that I would see it on the verge of being overturned.
I hope Rafa can come back. I would like to see him win slams before he has to retire. Do we know if the foot held up in these first matches?
For the first time in my life. I am really afraid for the future of this country.
I forgot to say Roe v Wade being overturned!
I am really sorry you can’t get the surgery you need nny. Just because there are people who are in a worse situation doesn’t mean that the delay isn’t awful.
I just read a small amount about American politics and I had to stop. I find it so terrifying and depressing that my nervous system goes into freefall. I do realize it is awful for you and you have my love and sympathy.
I see that now Moya has tested positive for covid. I suspect we won’t see Rafa at the AO. He has been injured there so many times that that may be a good thing. Presumably he will reprise his 2013 comeback by playing on S.American clay if that is the case.
For me the state of the foot is the most important thing. If that holds I am upbeat…
amy,
I am so fearful of the Republicans taking over. They are now a Neo-fascist party. The Democrats are getting blamed when it’s the Republicans who won’t vote for anything. Then it’s all up to one Senator and that’s not good. We seem to be in a fascist mentality I’m this country.
We were far worse with Trump. But so far they have not charged him with any of his many crimes. He thinks the Republicans will change everything to rig the election. Then we won’t have a democracy.
People are so blind and ignorant. They are also easily manipulated.
Rafa did not need Covid as he tries to come back. They will only delay his progress. He can’t catch a break. I wonder if he has said anything about the foot.