Rafael Nadal shook off a dismal opening-set performance to dispatch No. 6 seed Marin Cilic 2-6, 6-4, 6-4 in the quarterfinals of the Rogers Cup on Friday night.
Cilic began the match with the kind of aggressive play that saw him to the Wimbledon final in 2017. After his first service game, Nadal’s groundstrokes landed short, and Cilic pounced. The Croat smacked winner after winner as his opponent seemed to grow increasingly frustrated.
Cilic reeled off five straight games to take a 5-1 lead. Finally, with Nadal serving at 1-5, the Spaniard put some pressure on Cilic and held a second time. The No. 6 seed closed out the set, but Nadal started to get his teeth into the match.
Nadal faced another break point in the first game of the second set, but between better serving and a couple of loose points from Cilic, he held. As Cilic’s game finally started to show weakness, Nadal tightened his own. Toronto’s top seed broke for the first time at 2-1.
Asked about this crucial part of the match, Nadal said, “the first game of the second was the key. He had break point. If he had the break in that first game of the second set, the match will be so difficult, no? Because the dynamic was very bad for me and unbelievable good for him. So I know that beginning of the second set will be decisive. And then in the 2-1, I had that break that he missed couple of balls and was the first time in the match that he make some mistakes, and I had the break.”
Errors continued to creep into Cilic’s game through the remainder of the match including an easy smash that the 2014 U.S. Open champion missed by meters.
The win extends Nadal’s 2018 record to 38-3. The Spaniard also received word that after his round of 16 win over Stan Wawrinka, he already has enough points to qualify for the Nitto ATP Finals.
The world No. 1 will take on Karen Khachanov in the semifinals on Saturday evening.
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The game plan of every single opponent Rafa plays is to serve big and hit winners from every ball but actually doing it for 3-5 sets is another matter. Rafa said in his presser that he solved the problem, partly by changing his returning positions just to put doubt in Cilic’s mind and Cilic couldn’t continue his flawless aggression after the first set.
Yup. He was like “I just wanted him to start to think”. Nadal doesn’t get enough credit for how tactically he plays.
I think he gets credit for solving problems on court. But he deserves more for wins like today. Its rare to see such a turn around in best of three sets.
Nadal-Cilic and Zverev-Tsitsipas from yesterday should be required viewing for every tennis player out there.
At 1-5 in the first set Rafa fought his heart out to hold in an *11* minute service game in a set he knew was lost. I don’t think there’s another player on tour that would do that but Rafa always does. You can’t start “finding solutions” too soon. And plant a few seeds of doubt.
Great post ramara!
Wish I could have watched the match!
Such an impressive win from Rafa.
A perfect example of why I consider him to be the greatest of all time.
True heart, spirit, drive and ability to persevere.
And yeah, he doesn’t get enough credit for his ability to weather the storm and adjust.
He started to mix his pace giving Cilic different looks causing him to leak unforced errors.
And his use of the drop shot since Wimbledon has been a stroke of genius.
As they say, if you had to pick one guy to win a match with your life on the line, Rafa is the obvious pick.
Love the way he has added the drop shot to his repertoire Hawkbert! He has also been fantastic at net at both Rg and wimby.
I would have been very upset if he had lost to the Nazi hugger!!
tsame Amy. I’m not a fan. It was great to see Rafa being patient, not getting frustrated, using his guile to make the right adjustments to take the win after losing due to injury in Australia where he would have done the same otherwise.
Lol @ Amy, I remembered u when i watched the match last night!
@amy,
Me too!
Thanx mona and Natashao!
Proud to have you as my fellow rafa fans!
Lol @ Amy, I remembered u when i watched the match last night!
It was a great match though! Considering how Rafa failed to close out second set with his serve!
I watched the replay of the match on the tennis channel today. A few things stood out, After Rafa was broken when was serving for the second set, Cilic was up 40-15 in his serve. He had game point. But then he muffed a shot and completely overhit it. That made the score 40-30. Rafa was still alive. Rsfa ended up breaking to win the second set. Cilic started to make more errors and it did seem as though Rafa was changing tactics to make him think more. Cilic’s bug weakness is his lack of mental strength, whereas it’s Rafa’s greatest strength,
I think this match encapsulated what is so extraordinary about Rafa – his never day due attitude. In a Bof3 set match it round be easy to give up after getting blown out in the first set. Cilic was on fire and not missing. But Rafa found a way to change the dynamic.
Rafa just kept on coming. In the end it was Cilic who cracked. There is nobody else like Rafa and there never will be.
I meant to say Rafa’s never say die attitude! *
I wont be surprised if Rafa reaches Finals he skips Cincy. Playing back to back is tough . Rafa would have got 5 matches which should be good enough for him before USO.
I think he should beat Karen although I am surprised that he has come this far and that too without dropping a set, must be playing well though.