Rafael Nadal vs. David Ferrer was expected to be a hard-fought struggle in the Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters quarterfinals and it certainly lived up to that billing on Friday afternoon. Nadal improved to 23-6 lifetime against Ferrer with a 6-4, 5-7, 6-2 victory after two hours and 44 minutes.
The former world No. 1 had to deal with plenty of adversity. He squandered a 3-0, double-break lead in the second set and was hit with three time violations Damien Dumusois–the second two resulting in first serves being taken anyway. Still, Nadal steadied the ship to keep his hopes alive for a ninth Monte-Carlo title.
Highlights:
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IWClwhI4-bg]
Nadal avoids eye contact with Dumusois
https://vine.co/v/ezr7ZzgJz7w
The previous three quarterfinals lasted a grand total of two hours and 35 minutes. Things got off to an inauspicious start when Milos Raonic retired seven games into his showdown against Tomas Berdych because of a foot injury. Berdych led 5-2 at the time at the expense of an opponent who had already been dealing with the issue in the previous round.
“So far everything is going well,” the Czech assured. “My preparation is really good. I’ve done as much as I could, playing on the clay right after the Miami, which is a good sign for me. I’m able to execute it in the matches.”
Novak Djokovic and Gael Monfils breezed into the last four with similar ease, although they at least had to complete their matches. Djokovic clobbered Marin Cilic 6-0, 6-3 and Monfils maintained his fine form with a 6-1, 6-3 destruction of Grigor Dimitrov. The Frenchman won all six of the break points during the match–four for four on Dimitrov’s serve and two of two on his own serve.
Djokovic interview:
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MCd2HmyqEoA]
Monfils hot shot:
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VkJZNsoAYLE]
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Well, have to say that I was right once again predicting Cilic to win 3-4 games max…now, when Rafa is concerned I rarely go with my mind, my heart has a lot to deal with it…all I want to say is that Rafa certainly is not there yet BUT he could beat Nole tomorrow if Nole is not at his best…Novak had a cupcake draw and is well rested, but I sense some mental fatigue on his side…in any way you all know I vote for Rafa…I’ll never go against him…
Vamos Rafa!
Natashao,
In any case you are right in what you wrote earlier: what really matters tomorrow (and the rest of the pre-RG season) is increasing the ever-present doubts Novak has (surely!) as to whether he can defeat Rafa on Chartier if they meet there.
Cilic is a waste of space.
Rafa is building up nicely for Fortress RG. If he loses tomorrow, it will not be a train smash but it is important that Rafa makes Novak sweat for the victory, if indeed Novak wins. There is still Barcelona and Rome for Rafa to fine-tune his game.
Vamos Rafito!
Ricky has suddenly discovered Vine lol.
Beautiful.
Rafa vs David Ferrer
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CCy8ZiSWAAAjob5.jpg
Via La Gazette de Monaco