Rafael Nadal

2022 - 3 - 17

Post cover — Image courtesy of "The Guardian"

Rafael Nadal keeps cool to down combustible Kyrgios in Indian ... (The Guardian)

Rafael Nadal quelled the spirited challenge of a typically effervescent Nick Kyrgios to reach the Indian Wells semi-finals.

“I think Nick had a great attitude during the whole match in terms of fighting spirit, and of course he has his personality, his character,” Nadal said. Being selfish, it’s great to have such a star from my country ... I wish him all the very best.” That all changed as the Australian’s head appeared turned by the crowd during the final games and he smashed another racket after shaking hands with Nadal. It bounced up and away, nearly striking a ball boy standing at the back of the court. “It landed a metre from my foot and skidded and nearly hit him,” Kyrgios said. I think if I did that a million times over it wouldn’t have gone that way.” Kyrgios snapped back at a crowd member as he waited for quiet on his serve, drawing the point penalty. You don’t protect the players from any of that stuff.” “That’s what makes him great.” “I think I played a good third set,” Nadal said in an on-court interview. During the match, Kyrgios’s concentration was disrupted on several occasions, and he became visibly and audibly riled by the noise from the stands. “I was returning better, I was solid with my serve. “How long you going to let that shit go on for?” Kyrgios said.

Elliott: Rafael Nadal plays it cool in taking out Nick Kyrgios (Los Angeles Times)

Nadal extended his season start to 19-0 on Thursday with a victory over Nick Kyrgios in the quarterfinals of the BNP Paribas Open.

“I always have a very basic point of view and it’s do the things that [are] going to help you to play better or to win more,” Nadal said. And he has no animosity toward Kyrgios. “In some way I like him like a character,” Nadal said. That’s fantastic for the tennis lovers and he’s a countryman and he’s a great guy. “Like, to be honest, if I was watching a little kid play and he was getting angry that he was losing it just shows that he cares. “You can be sad, you can be very upset, but if that helps you to play better or to win more, do it. I wish him all the very best. The second set went on serve until Kyrgios made a good get to earn the break and the set. He played a few points well and he got out of it and that’s what he does. I enjoy the challenges,” Nadal said. “I felt like, honestly, I was the one to end the streak. The youngster wasn’t hurt, but Kyrgios was serenaded with a chorus of boos as he exited the court at Stadium 1. “I enjoy these kind of matches.

Rafael Nadal Takes On Soaring Nick Kyrgios In BNP Paribas Open ... (ATP Tour)

After two years waiting for the next instalment of the Rafael Nadal v Nick Kyrgios rivalry, it certainly looks like it will be worth the wait.

This consistency will be put to the test against the rock-solid game of Norrie. "I'm going to be happy if I keep the level [from tonight]," Alcaraz said after beating Gael Monfils in straight sets in the fourth round. It is going to be a good test for me and good challenge.” Ram and Salisbury are looking to add to their maiden Masters 1000 title together, won in Toronto last year. So he’s confident, and it’s going to be a tough one, but [I am] looking forward to hopefully getting some revenge on him.” Awaiting in the semi-finals will be an unseeded pairing. Kyrgios’ fourth round opponent Jannik Sinner withdrew from their clash on Wednesday due to illness, but the Australian will still carry the momentum of his opening three straight-sets victories with him into the quarter-final matchup. Previous encounters with Kyrgios mean the 21-time Grand Slam champion is more than wary of the threat the wild card poses to his unbeaten run. I did what I had to do against a very difficult player like Reilly.” It’s whether I put my mind to it. It was a great focus during preseason. With every victory extending his personal-best start to a season, a win over Kyrgios would take him to 19-0. That's my best match of the tournament.

Nick Kyrgios loses cool, smashes racket in obscenity-laced Indian ... (ESPN)

Rafael Nadal defeated Nick Kyrgios 7-6 (0), 5-7, 6-4 Thursday to reach the semifinals of the BNP Paribas Open in a match featuring obscenities, ...

Early in the second set, the chair umpire scolded a man in the stands who repeatedly yelled, "Nick! Nick!" The umpire said, "Ten thousand people want to watch tennis and you're the only one screaming." He gave the bent racket to a young boy in the stands. "So obviously, I was frustrated, but it was a hell of a match." "Like, just sit and enjoy the show. "I think Nick had a great attitude during the whole match in terms of fighting spirit, and of course he has his personality, his character," Nadal said. Kyrgios dropped the balls he was holding and calmly walked to his seat. Nadal's drop shot caught Kyrgios by surprise and the Australian let loose with an F-bomb during the point. After the post-match handshake, Kyrgios walked to his seat and smashed his racket on the court. He also had leads of 3-1 and 5-3 in the set. "It landed a meter from my foot and skidded and nearly hit him," Kyrgios said. Nadal won three straight games to lead 6-5 in the first. "But I hold it emotionally, and mentally, I think I was ready to keep fighting."

Rafael Nadal continues unbeaten run with Reilly Opelka victory at Indian Wells (Independent Online)

Indian Wells - Rafael Nadal battled past big-hitting American Reilly Opelka 7-6 (7/3), 7-6 (7/5) on Wednesday to push his 2022 record to 18-0 and reach the quarter-finals of the Indian Wells WTA and ATP Masters. The 35-year-old Spaniard, ...

Nadal became just the second player to start a season 18-0 since the ATP Tour launched in 1990. Opelka saved the only break point of a tense first set. Poland's Swiatek swept past American Madison Keys 6-1, 6-0 in 56 minutes. "I don't know if the cameras can follow me like 10 meters behind the baseline." Impervious on his own serve in the opening set, Nadal gave Opelka a break chance with a double fault in the fifth game of the second and the American pounced on it. Unable to take advantage of a break point in the next game, Nadal saved three more break points in the seventh game before breaking back to knot it at 4-4.

'I wanted to end Rafael Nadal's streak,' Nick Kyrgios admits (Tennis World)

Tennis - Nadal beat Kyrgios in three tight sets in Indian Wells.

Losing ground after almost winning the set, Nick lost the tie break 7-0 after a code violation and a point penalty. Nick moved 4-2 up with an ace in game six and cracked a forehand down the line winner at 4-3. Nick Kyrgios gave Rafael Nadal a run for his money in the Indian Wells quarter-final despite his usual tantrums with the umpire and crowd.