Nadal, Djokovic to Meet Saturday in ATP Madrid Semifinals

by Staff | May 12th, 2017, 6:51 pm
  • 97 Comments

Former No. 1s Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal set up a mouthwatering semifinal on Friday in Madrid when Nadal stared down David Goffin 7-6(3), 6-2, and Djokovic received a walkover from a wrist-hobbled Kei Nishikori.
ADHEREL
“Goffin and I played at a really high level,” said Nadal, still undefeated this year on clay. “It was a very tough match that I had to play at my highest level to be able to make the semifinals. It’s one of the matches that you go back home with a lot of adrenaline and feel satisfied for the work done.”

Nadal has lost his last three matches on clay against Djokovic, and his last seven overall against the Serb.

“It’s going to be a very tough match against one of the best players in tennis history,” Nadal summarized. “I know that to be able to have chances, I have to give 100 percent…I think I’ve done my homework.”


The other semifinal will see Dominic Thiem, who rolled past lucky loser Borna Coric 6-1, 6-4, against surprise package Pablo Cuevas, who upended Alexander Zverev 3-6, 6-0, 6-4.

Thiem against Coric avenged a loss earlier this year at Miami.

Zverev against Cuevas held it together in the third set until dropping his final serve at 4-5, seeing Cuevas off to a fourth consecutive three-set win.

“This is my first [Masters] semifinal, this year I play two quarterfinals,” Cuevas said. “Today I lost the first set them I came back and played my best tennis, I’m very happy.”

Cuevas and Thiem have only faced each other once, with Cuevas winning in four sets at the French Open two years ago.


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97 Comments for Nadal, Djokovic to Meet Saturday in ATP Madrid Semifinals

J-Kath Says:

Back from 5 very long working days in beautiful, extraordinary Argyll. Exhausted with the journeys. Yes, there is TV/News in Highland Scotland and it was expected Andy would fail again.

However, those Who want to be loved by all on Tx by saying nice things of all players” and want to please all fans on Tx…demonstrate that they themselves are so needie that it is not worth listening to anything they say – especially their arrogance in assuring everyone that XYZ will win without anything other than their say-so.

Andy has Shingles – goddamit – he has now only rare occasions to win matches. Let’s hope the presence of Lendal for Rome will be one of those occasions when he feels able to perform at peak.

Please no more seeking personal aclaim via Andy – just leave leave him alone – he’ll be gone soon enough.


Wog Boy Says:

Have you visited the Isles of Mull where is the tomb of “The Father of Australia”?
We spell that area diferently here “Argyle” and the major street in the Sydney Old Town known as the Rocks is Argyle st. of course named by the longest serving and most successful governor of Australia who was born on that island and whose family owned the isles for thousand of years, clan MacQuarrie.
It is on my to do list in two years time.


Lylenubbins Says:

Could Nole in his current state possibly beat an inform Rafa on clay? I think Rafa wins this one


Wog Boy Says:

This one is Rafa’s to lose.


JM01 Says:

Going to be a beatdown for Novak, Rafa is in sublime form.


Willow Says:

J-Kath hope you had a wonderful time, nice to see you back ….


Margot Says:

AM: My Thiem themed worked great :) Not sure about Cuevas match. Saw Cuevas beat Zverev and he played such a crafty clay court game, very cat and mouse. Dunno how gassed he is and Dom is so young and fit….just can’t call it.
Andy has drawn Foggy in Rome early on. Oh well, bye bye Andy then :(


AndyMira Says:

M!….Hahahaha!!Yeaahhh!!..Don’t know how you do it[and i don’t want to imagine how u dance!hahaha!]…BUT,it work wonders to me and Nny M!Thank u thank u thank u…Err,will u do it again tonight?Please??This is your rewards…

https://cdn1.harryanddavid.com/wcsstore/HarryAndDavid/images/catalog/1530_29002z.jpg

Btw M…Yeah,i saw the draw..it is nightmare for Andy..,there’s Sascha ,possibly Milos and Goffin…i just hope with Lendl going to be there,something positive will come out for him…


Margot Says:

Yum, yum AM :)


Wog Boy Says:

Rome draws, load of top10 inform players are in bottom half, top half is a joke, and Nole and Rafa are on collision course again for SF.


Wog Boy Says:

Nole’s quoter, Nishikori, Delpo, Dimitrov, Agut, Kyrgios…


Van Persie Says:

It’s all about the audience. Feel sorry for DelPo the most


madmax Says:

Margot and J-Kath, you are staunch supporters of Andy, so it pains me when, you Margot say ‘bye bye Andy’. Enough of the negativity when your guy falls. I believe he needs the matches. Yes, he has suffered injury with elbow and with shingles and that is horrible – and certainly, when things like this happen, he needs his fans more than ever.

Of course Nadal will win the tournament. No one is questioning that.


madmax Says:

J-Kath, who are the people who are the people who want to be loved?

“However, those Who want to be loved by all on Tx by saying nice things of all players” and want to please all fans on Tx…demonstrate that they themselves are so needie that it is not worth listening to anything they say – especially their arrogance in assuring everyone that XYZ will win without anything other than their say-so.”

I agree with you, this is a site full of different people, here for different reasons. We support who we support and when it doesn’t go our way, we try to understand and then to move on.

You should name names and then get a discussion going.


Margot Says:

mad max:
I don’t think Andy will get past Foggy, I’m merely being realistic. Would be highly delighted if he does but I don’t view the world through rose tinted specs, I’m afraid. BTW I don’t think Andy “needs” anything from me.
But it certainly isn’t “bye bye” my support for Andy which will remain 100% until he hangs up his racquet for the last time.


Nits Says:

Can’t wait come on Rafa!!!!


Van Persie Says:

Exacly 1 year ago they played QF in Rome, 13.05.16


Van Persie Says:

^ exactly


Daniel Says:

Djoko played great first 2 points. Chose wrong aode on one shot and the toher misse the line for a winner by an inch. Than lost 2 silly points. Broken to love.

Let’s see of he can pressure back Nadal’s serve.

Sunny conditions is the way Nadal likes it, even for Madrid.


Daniel Says:

15-30 Djoko made a great return but nothing woth the BH later. Now 40-40.


Van orten Says:

Fun to watch nadal so tense vs djoker…looking Grim and fearful


Daniel Says:

Djoko not confortable on coirt at all

3-0 Nadal. Seems the spank some asked is gonna happen.


Van orten Says:

Time for roger to come back and whoop his …


skeezer Says:

Let the spanking commence.


Daniel Says:

This set is gone. He has to at least hold serve for a change to maybe be competitive in second set.


skeezer Says:

Novak has to start dictating and push back or he is going to go to meditation class appt early today.


Daniel Says:

Djoko is trying to wrong foot Nadal and choosing wrongly all the time.


Daniel Says:

Novak has to at least makes Nadal serve for the set, with the 15 straight loss. Put some presssure on him.

One set point save. C’mon and hold!


Anto Says:

If nadal doesn’t hold now to serve out the set. Doubts will be creeping in on Nadal’s mind. I hope he does hold.


Anto Says:

Finally after losing 15 sets continuously Nadal won a set against Djokovic. Yay


Daniel Says:

What a deop shot to close. Nadal in total contral, only one game his serve went 40-40.

His shots are heavier and Djoko missing shots showing nerves and lack of patiance.

Don’t see a change of paterns. Nadal will be even nore relaxed. Maybe only Djoko playing more relaxed now tha the set is gone he can clean his game a bit. But he can’t lose his serve to love again to open set.


Anto Says:

But what we should not forget is that Djokovic can still raise his game much more.


Daniel Says:

Jeez… missing sitter FH. Totally out. BP


Daniel Says:

Repeat. Awful.


Anto Says:

This is the best possible chance for Nadal to beat Djokovic. 1 set and a break up


Daniel Says:

Damm, a 0-30 but nadal miracouslaly put it in passing shot


Daniel Says:

This game djoko could have broken to love but Nadla too storng made 2 incredible points.


Daniel Says:

Not meant to be today. This point Djoko dictatong but when he tries to push the trigger he misses


Anto Says:

A very good hold for Djokovic. Lets see whether Djokovic decides to play.


Daniel Says:

Firts vintage Djoko’s BH Insaw today. BP


Daniel Says:

Yeah. Break back. Now hold and stay on front for a change


skeezer Says:

Nadal has waaayyy to much time to prepare to hit a ball on Clay, that is why he is the King of Clay and will never be the King of any other surface.


Anto Says:

So Djokovic decided to play. Lets see if Nadal crumbles now. I just hope not.


skeezer Says:

Novak has been hitting the deeper balls, and Rafa is still hitting his balls to shallow….but the score doesn’t tell that…for now.


gonzalowski Says:

Uau nole has woken up, great backhands and BP


skeezer Says:

And now it does…break back by Nole, got a short ball and took advantage.


Anto Says:

Nadal misses a very easy shot. He is not clutch so far in the second set.

But a good passing shot to bring up another BP


Anto Says:

Broken straight away. Common Nadal.


Van orten Says:

Come on guys it is obvious. Nadal is just playing the same old stuff . Nole though is not really there. The moment he starts crushing the ball it’s bye bye Rafa. So if Rafa runs into a hot player who will not stop hurting him it will be the end . Bye bye Rafa… you are just not the same anymore . You will lose in Paris badly . Mark my words guys he will lose early and badly


Daniel Says:

Djoko not woth a firm volley


Anto Says:

Love hold for Nadal. Just one more Nadal just one more.


Daniel Says:

Jeez what a awful volley, tentative.

This is the spanking he needs. Either it will get worse or he realizes that is something really wrong with his game now.

Remains to be seen if he’ll make a change or not.

Not looking good for him and Murray right now.


Van orten Says:

The good thing is nole knows he is the superior player. He will fix this and beat nadal next week in Rome . Nadal I love ur line cleaning after an ace


Daniel Says:

Nadal to serve for the match. Only chance is if he fees the pressure


Anto Says:

The moment of truth.


Anto Says:

Match point Nadal.


Anto Says:

Djokovic saved one with some good shots.


Anto Says:

Nadal feeling the pressure. I hope he doesn’t screw this up.


Anto Says:

Nadal is making the very difficult for himself.


Anto Says:

Fu**king awesome point to save the break point


Anto Says:

good second serve to bring up match point no 3


Van Persie Says:

Well deserved, Rafa! Congrats


skeezer Says:

Spanking finished.


Anto Says:

Yay nadal won. Now I just hope this is the true start of Nadal comeback.


Daniel Says:

Djoko forget that he won all those matches targeting Nadal’s FH not his BH. He was afraid to go FH DTL adn the few he went he won the point.

Nadal very brave at the end. That drop shot down BPnwas coirageous. And than he hit a second serve that painted the line and deviate forcong a Djoko miss.

4th straight final dating back to Miami and 6th this season.
Only Thiem, on hos super A+++ game can have a chance tomorrow.


Van orten Says:

Hahahahhaha nole gifting it in the end . He is on a good way . He will soon beat nadal again comfortably . Congrats nadal he needed that win against an off form djoker . Nothing impressive . Nole is still the better player. Vamos nole Vamos


Giles Says:

Well done Champ!!
Spanked the faker at last!
Way to go Rafa!


Willow Says:

YAY Rafa won, congrats on another final, so happy, this feels sweet after all the Novak losses ;-) ….


Van orten Says:

Still cleaning the lines ?


Margot Says:

Awesome from Rafa. Huge hugs to AM, OK, Willow, Giles even and everyone else.
Commies to Nole fans, very undercooked today for the most part.
Rafa’s serve looks as if its got a lot more pop on it. Is this down to Moya, you think? Or something else?


Giles Says:

Thanks much Margot even! Lol


Navdeep Says:

Van orten proving how idiot one can be lol


AndyMira Says:

Awwww!Thank u so much M!You’re AWESOME!!…Bout serve,maybe it down to his healthy back, healthy wrist and full of confidence and self belief i think… …


Karthick Says:

Vamos Rafa!!! shut the naysayers with your raquet


Margot Says:

AM: Splendid :) Apparently Pech said he’s changed his racquet, perhaps down to that too? But think you should also give the very attractive Senor Moya some cred….;)


Van orten Says:

Thanks for insulting me navdeep . Muchas gracias . I know you are afraid . Hahaha it will soon end . Wanna insult me face to face too ?


skeezer Says:

The Church will report they just so happened to miss this match. So, no comment on the spanking.
Seriously, imho don’t think Nole is far off, he showed some signs of how he use to dictate over Rafa. We’ll see, Clay season not over yet.


Karthick Says:

van orten, get a life


Navdeep Says:

Have no intention to insult you pal but u need to show some respect towards legends. You are actually commenting in a way that shows u understand the game better than them. Nole is going through a tough phase just like Rafa and others have gone through n he will get over it so relax


Willow Says:

Cant we all just get along jeez ….


Willow Says:

Van Orton ,We could also say, that when Rafa loses to Novak he is also off form, but why take credit away from Novak, so why now take credit away from Rafa ?, Federers your favorite and has also just won his 18 major,hes amazing the best ever, so why not just be happy about that, and why attack another all time great ? ….


J-Kath Says:

WB: Yes been to Mull, Iona etc. etc. as used to live in Argyll.
Sorri, did not see the tomb of the Father of Australia – as always seemed to be with my Yankee doodle relations all of whom had different “must see” demands. Next time I shall prioritise it.

Madmax: Doubt it’s worthwhile naming anyone as they come and go
like the weather. I always find it patronising and try not to do so myself. I usually manage to ignore it and spit out my irritation in the nearest outlet.

Let’s see where Andy is at by and at Wimbledon. If there’s no real progress, Andy himself will retire….as it is, he’s all ready lost the fear element …everyone thinks they can beat him now….he has to show they can’t.


J-Kath Says:

WB: PS: There is an Argyle Street in Glasgow….it’s only the county that is spelt as “Argyll”.


AndyMira Says:

M!…Yeahh!!Maybe that too!!..But i think i wanna give credit to his new hair as well..!I mean,getting bald and got criticized all the time because of it can affect your confidence and self belief too!…So,thank u hair!!Love u mucho!!


Danica Says:

Well played Rafa. No one to stop him this clay season.
Congrats to all the Rafans minus one.


Willow Says:

J-Kath IMO Andy has one eye on the green, green, grass of home, clay was never his best surface anyway no offence , dont know if the above post was about me, as i do come and go from here lately i will admit, real life gets in the way at times ….


Willow Says:

Well im not seeing this title as a gimee, both Cuevas and Theim are playing really well this tournament ….


AndyMira Says:

Thanks so much Dani!


J-Kath Says:

Willow: Rest assured you were never included. Anything I would like to share with you, tough or otherwise, I would always “speak” to you direct.


Willow Says:

Cheers J-Kath, hope you had a nice break :-) ….


Giles Says:

Cheers Danica! Lol


Van orten Says:

Just a bit provoking here guys. Don’t pretend u never did something like that before . Relax u guys and enjoy the good moment of your favorite player ….I must admit he deserves it!!!


Miles Says:

It’s becoming more difficult to deny that Djokovic is in permanent decline now.

Nadal is looking a lot better – still hard to judge exactly where his game is at, as that match against Fognini showed he’s still a little vulnerable. I suspect he might end up being a victim of his own success – he might run out of steam at the French if he’s not careful.


chrisford1 Says:

Great outcome for both Rafa and Nole. In the sense that loosing to an out of form Djokovic on native dirt would have wreaked havoc in Rafa’s head and signalled he was closer to “The End” than either Rafa or Djoko fans would have cared to see. And Djokovic now has a great measure against the man he measured himself against most of his career – just how much he slipped against Rafa and how far he has to go to beat Rafa again (and of course Roger, Andy, and possible young gun nemesis to be Nick Kyrgios.

Onto Roma!
While I normally hate the characterization that Masters 1000 tournaments are “mere warmups” to the Holy Slams, the importance of progress towards the French Open has to be on Rafa, Nole , and Federer’s mind. As everyone knows, Rafa goes for his tenth at the risk of pigeonholing himself as a clay player who had a bit of success off his “real surface specialty. Federer, who many are saying is “blowing” his opportunity for success in Paris by skipping the rest of clay season, goes for a double career Slam in Paris, he would be the 1st man to do so. And skipping same surface events leading to a major does not doom a player. As Djokovic proved at Wimbledon in 2014. 15. And Roger is the 3rd best clay player of his time. Rafa ahead by a lot, Novak ahead by a little. He does have a small shot.
For Djokovic, he too goes for a double career slam. Rome may see if he is still on the mend or loses to an Isner early or something..


Miles Says:

Djokovic is still capable of winning another major – but I doubt it will be this year as there’s too much going on behind the scenes. Indeed, I really wouldn’t be surprised to see him quit the game by the year end, as it appears that other things in his life are taking priority.

Even though he’s been in wretched form during the last few weeks, I feel Stan has an excellent chance at Roland Garros – that’s if Rafa gets unexpectedly knocked out!


skeezer Says:

“Federer, who many are saying is “blowing” his opportunity for success in Paris by skipping the rest of clay season”
LMAO who is saying that except you?
” And Roger is the 3rd best Clay player of his time. ”
And another false timeless piece.

Top story: Sinner Swallows Up Zverev For Second Straight Australian Open, 3rd Slam