When Wimbledon quarterfinal action wraps up on Wednesday there will be one all-seeded showdown and one all-unseeded matchup. Rafael Nadal is going up against a red-hot opponent in Taylor Fritz, while Nick Kyrgios faces Cristian Garin.
(11) Taylor Fritz vs. (2) Rafael Nadal
It will be a rematch of the Indian Wells final when Nadal and Fritz square off in the Wimbledon quarterfinals on Wednesday afternoon. Fritz took down Nadal 6-3, 7-6(5) for his first-ever Masters 1000 title, tying up the head-to-head series 1-1 following a 6-3, 6-2 loss in the 2020 Acapulco championship match. Now they collide in a slam, where Nadal is undefeated this season. The 36-year-old Spaniard triumphed in both Melbourne and Paris, and so far at the All-England Club he has defeated Francisco Cerundolo, Ricardas Berankis, Lorenzo Sonego, and Botic van de Zandschulp. Nadal dropped a set to both Cerundolo and Berankis before raising his level in rounds three and four.
Fritz has been dominant all fortnight. The world No. 14 and recent Eastbourne champion has not lost a single set; everyone else in the field has lost at least two. He booked his place in the last eight by coasting past Lorenzo Musetti, Alastair Gray, Alex Molcan, and Jason Kubler. Sure the competition level has been underwhelming, but 12-0 in total sets is impressive no matter the circumstances. Fritz is one of the few members of the younger generation who actually have belief when they face Nadal and Novak Djokovic. The Indian Wells result can’t really be taken into account since both guys–especially Nadal–were less than 100 percent, but nonetheless it can’t hurt Fritz’s confidence level. This is another winnable match for the American.
Pick: Fritz in 5
Cristian Garin vs. Nick Kyrgios
Kyrgios vs. Garin is a rare all-unseeded affair in the quarterfinals of a major. Of course, based on talent alone–especially on the grass courts of Wimbledon–Kyrgios was always a title contender regardless of what his No. 40 ranking suggests. The 27-year-old reached the quarterfinals back in 2014 and now he is through to the semis following victories over Paul Jubb, Filip Krajinovic, Stefanos Tsitsipas, and Brandon Nakashima.
Garin was supposed to face 2021 runner-up Matteo Berrettini in round one, but the Italian was forced out by a positive Covid-19 test and it’s safe to say that the 43rd-ranked Chilean has made the most of his opportunity. He has advanced by taking out Elias Ymer, Hugo Grenier, Jenson Brooksby, and Alex de Minaur. Garin is coming off a five-set battle with de Minaur, but his first three matches were routine so he should have plenty left in the tank for the biggest match of his career. Kyrgios made only one of his first four matches straightforward, so another roller-coaster ride can be expected against an in-form opponent–but the Aussie’s serve will likely bail him out in the pressure-packed moments.
Pick: Kyrgios in 5
Yes, the one and only Rafael Nadal!
There’s just so much to admire about Rafa – the never give up mentality, the will to win, the belief that he can find solutions to solve problems, the will to keep improving to become better…
So happy for Rafa that he has become an even better player at his age now, and is still competitive enough to find ways to overcome his physical problems to win his matches. Vamos!
Rafas dad told him to stop yet he did not.
He won this ok but I am really sad. I wanted this wimby n looks like either he won’t play semi or will lose the match…
Sanju,don’t be sad! Yes, it’s obvious that Rafa cannot win the title. But this was a very, very long shot anyway. Even a healthy Rafa would have had difficulties against the Djoker. So, let’s celebrate that Rafa reached the semis despite all his problems in advance of this tournament. What a fighter!
Is there a chance the ab issue will get ok ? What exactly is it ? A tear ?
We don’t know. But it will be very difficult for him to try and beat NK without a functioning serve.
He also didn’t hit his cross court backhand for 3 sets.
I am reading his serve got better in 4th n 5th is it true ? N did he not run to bh side till end or the middle?
No, he won’t be ok in time. I know about these abdomen tears from my husband. This cannot be repaired within a couple of days.
I just saw replay of footage of his father gesturing to him to get off the court. It wasn’t just his father, was also his sister and Carlos Costa. Probably others also U couldn’t see from the clip…
Rafa’s wife was there. But I didn’t see her when they showed his father and sister gesturing for him to retire. Maybe I just couldn’t see her.
But Rafa wanted to play. I don’t think a five setter will help his abdomen.
We don’t even know if Rafa will be able to play. He said it on his interview on court. Anybody but Kyrgios.
It depends how serious the injury is for Rafa to try to recover! If it is a tear he may not be able to pkay senis. Also, if it is not a tear by playing he risks tearing the muscle which then becomes a very serious injury!
I trust Rafa’s team to make tge right decisions! If Rafa decides to play he will certainly go for the win!
We shall see! I am so proud of Rafa and his necer give up attitude!
Good luck Rafa! 🍀🍀🍀
Vamos Champ!
Natascha, yes, that is the right spirit. If he got a tear it would be best if he withdraws. Rafa hates withdrawals. But even if there is a minor tear, he should do this in order not to aggravate the injury. I hope his team will make the right decision.
I always believed that a healthy Rafa can beat Fritz. But I became sortiert when Rafa declined to talk about his abdomen tapes in his last presser.
But what a great player!!!
Good luck!!!
Sorry Natashao, my autocorrect function changed your moniker into “Natasha”.
Don’t worry, your autocorrect is right! 😃 that’s my name ☺️
Rafafans, please stay realistic! It’s a miracle that Rafa even won this match! So, let’s celebrate that!
But if even he himself said that he does’nt know if he can play in the semis, it’s more than just a scratch on his abdomen. This does not go away within 48 hours. And in order to win the title he would need to play two of the currently best grass court players. That is a tall order even for a healthy Rafa!
But what a fighter!!
Rafa shouldn’t be playing the semis if its anything other than a minor issue.
He has had the tape on the abdomen in his last 2 matches too at wimby. My guess is it’s a niggling issue that flared up today. I’d rather rafa not risk it and set his sights for USO.
Nadal said he hopes to be ready for the semifinal. He never said he wont be ready. Lets hope that he will be ready to play. He has been playing with it all this wimbledon and if djoko can play and win AO with an ab injury or woteva it was, so can rafa. Lets be optimistic. It’s not over.
Rafa himself is being realistic, he and his dr or whoever will make the right decision. If he decides to play, then he will play and I support his decision. Nobody knows the extent of his injury except him and his team and dr. Let them decide. I hope its not too serious and he plays.
There has never been a player like Rafa Nadal. Everyday, i realising why I love him so much as a tennis player. He’ll be a hard act to follow when he eventually hangs up his racquet.
Vamos!
Nadal said in presser he will have tests on Thursday to check what the injury is. Said he had discomfort last 2 matches but today the pain increased
If you could not waschen the match, you should read the “as it happened” thread of the Guardian! It is excellent, and it manages to capture the excitement and the aw-inspiring effort of both guys. It also cites a lengthy excerpt of Rafa’s oncourt interview. He told the audience to remember the 2008 final, and that he never expected in his dreams that he would still be able to play on this center court 14 years later! And this is what we should celebrate – even if he may not be able to continue…
https://mobile.twitter.com/jamesgraysport/status/1544770222879539203
Rafa tries so hard our there on the court and until recently I have stopped berating him and most especially doubting him. The sad thing is if he had retired ppl would say is bcoz he was getting beaten. Now he soldiered on and won some will say y didn’t he retire and give Fritz a chance to play in the semis!!! Sigh!! He just can’t win!
But regardless what occurs, Im be quite happy he made it this far. I mean I’m still sure he’ll play the semis bcoz otherwise he would have retired if it was THAT bad, and could not have won! I’m sure it will be fine! Vamos, Champ!! One match at a time!! ❤️
I agree. I am hopeful. If it was THAT terrible he would have retired. So I’m hopeful but i will support his decision.
Monalisa, did someone really criticize Rafa for not letting Fritz win??? I only saw tons of praise for Rafa because he managed to win despite being visibly hampered by an abdominal problem. Rafa said that he had this problem already in his two previous matches, and it became worse today. He cannot be critized for trying to win! And since they cannot do scans on a tennis court, Rafa cannot know for sure if he will be able to continue to play. Since this thing has apparently got worse over three days I am not very optimistic. But if Fritz wasn’t able to get past a clearly compromised Rafa, he doesn’t deserve to win!
It’s so strange with these youngsters. They are so much younger, and they get these huge chances for making a breakthrough – and then they falter when the finish line is in sight. I often wonder if the prolonged staying power of the Big Three has covered up that there will be definitely a weak era when the three GOAT candidates will finally retire. Apparently these youngsters are so much conditioned to lose against the Big Three that they are mentally not ready to win, even when they have huge chances. This seems to be especially the case in the slams.
Like you I am also very happy that Rafa even got this far. He has now been 8 times in the Wimby semis and 5 times in the final! Not too shabby for someone who supposedly has problems on grass!
Can we just let Rafa and his doctor handle this? We do not know how bad it is at this point. So they will do a scan and find out. Then they can make the right decision. Nobody here should be playing doctor.
I have confidence in Rafa’s doctor and team. This is out of our hands. Of course Rafa wants to play. But he is able to face reality.
NNY, I am sure that Team Rafa will make the right decision! He will only continue if they are sure that he doesn’t risk a far more serious injury. Rafa has immense will power, but he isn’t stupid.
NNY, in one of ure earlier post you said Rafa won’t be fit enough for the semis bcoz of the injury, lol!!!
However, I am really frustrated that every time I desire for Rafa to really bag a tourney he gets injured! This has happened countless times at AO and Wimby, STEUPS!! Rafa’s body breaking down so frequently is a sign that soon he’ll have to hang his gloves up. That my friend will be a sad sad sad day for me!
Mona,
Can we please stop this? I don’t need every single thing I say quoted back to me. It’s enough. Rafa having this stomach injury is bad enough. Because he was starting to play some great tennis.
Don’t throw things I post in my face. I was basing my comment on how he looked at that time. Not diagnosing his injury! He was able to start playing better. In fact, I thought he would have to retire at one point. He did not look good. Even his family wanted him to retire. It was that concerning. So it would not be a surprise for me to think he would not be able to play competitively in the semis. Others felt the same way. But the fact that he was able to complete the match and win, gave me some hope.
This the last I am goimg to say about this, if anyone wants to throw in my face what I may have said at some point, I will not respond.
Littlefoot, at the time I wrote this comment I was assuming that”s what ppl would say and I was right bcoz a few of the comments below the highlights on UTube alluded to it. I know how silly ppl can be!!!
@ NNY, I didn’t mean to upset you. Thought ure comment was targeted at ppl who were giving their thoughts on Rafa”s injury and his ability to play. I didn’t understand y u didn’t seem happy about it, that’s all. But water under the bridge, we have another match to worry about.
Me? Just happy Rafa is limping his way into the semis, rib by rib, foot by foot!! Poor thing! 🤣
Mona,
It’s been a tough day. I should not have taken your comment so personally. I went through so many emotions. First I was sure Rafa would have to retire. I watched the replay on the tennis channel to see parts I was too nervous to watch. At one point Rafa went to get his towel and he leaned his head against the back board. He was in such pain. I think I was not watching at that point. It was looking pretty bad for Rafa. I may well have said that he would not be able to make it to the semifinal the way he looked. The commies seemed to think he would retire.
It was a very draining experience, even watching the replay. I was feeling so good about his chances because his serve was great and he was playing so well. This was hard to watch but I am so proud of Rafa for fighting through it. He really amazes me.
Rafa did not look happy in his presser. He won’t make any prediction about playing until they do the scan to see what is going on there. I am very angry that he would have to face Kyrgios. Of all people!
I guess we will know more tomorrow. You have a good heart and I just think I responded too harshly to your comment. I apologize for that.
❤️
NNY, Oh, no worries!! I didn’t take it personally either. When you are a fan of Rafa u learn how to navigate troubles and take things in stride, always looking at the positive. Rafa has taught me that nothing in life is as bad as it seems! He has inspired my outlook on life, seriously! I am sooo grateful for this man!
So again, no worries. we’re good!!❤️
I watched that fifth set tie break on YouTube and I had to watch it multiple times!!! Rafa knows how to play TBs as well as Roger! I always marveled at the way Roger played TBs! He was brutal, lol!!! That TB with Fritz was awesome! I noticed a lot of tennis players don’t play TBs well. They would do extremely well to get to the TB and when they get there they are quite rubbish!!! See it happen all the time! Wonder what the big 3 TB record is, and which player has the best TB record currently on tour!
Yes, the tie-break was good stuff!
My favorite tennis expert on Youtube – Gil Gross – has already uploaded a very interesting analysis of the match. I highly recommend it. He explains very well, how Rafa managed to stay in the match by very cleverly using those tools which were still working well, and Fritz didn’t have the experience to handle the situation.
Yes, Littlefoot, I listen to him all the time. As a matter of fact he’s face is staring right at me now from my laptop 🤣 He’s very good although there r many who feel he is biased against Rafa, but then again, many analysts are!!!! 😃 however I’m always eager to hear his take on the matches, he’s quite knowledgeable.
Monalisa, Gil Gross was one of the few experts who picked Rafa winning Wimby 😉 He changed opinions about Rafa during this crazy season. And he is one of the most knowledgeable experts. He has also a knack to explain very well what’s happened in a match.
Indeed! Gil is very clear and concise about things and he literally gives ball by ball commentary! I am not a subscriber (shame) but he is my go to guy on tennis analysis.
Ricky no offense here, lol!! I really love our little tennis community here too, no matter who you’re a fan of!!
NoVaxx over kyrgios in four because he will not try to ignore Kyrgios talking before the serve and let the umpire know it’s a hinderence
That said, Vamos Rafa no matter what! He refuses to go down without a fight! Vamos!!!!
👍👍👍