Rafael Nadal’s clay court fairytale continues after he beat Pedro Cachin 6-1, 6-7, 6-3 to qualify for the fourth round of the Madrid Open.
However, Cachin was anything but cannon fodder and Nadal could only hit the winning shot after three hours.
“Sometimes things went well; other times less well. However, I was able to find a way to win the match,” said the 37-year-old Spaniard.
“In the third set there were also mistakes, but I was able to make things a little more unpredictable on the court and that was probably the difference between winning and losing.”
Nadal has been plagued by injuries for the past year or two and has missed most of 2023’s major tournaments, while his comeback in Australia earlier this year was also cut short.
“I’m currently enjoying my tennis, but let’s see how I feel when I wake up in the morning. I am grateful to play on my home courts in Spain; it means an incredible amount to me.”
The pot of gold at the end of the Nadal rainbow is of course the French Open; a tournament he has already won 14 times before.
“I’m doing my best to keep dreaming. To play in front of you is a huge privilege.”
He will face Jiri Lehecka in the fourth round.
Results:
Jannik Sinner beat Pavel Kotov 6-2 and 7-5
Casper Ruud beat Cameron Norrie 6-2 and 6-4
Rafael Nadal beat Pedro Cachin 6-1, 6-7 and 6-3
Daniil Medvedev beat Sebastian Korda 5-7, 7-6 and 6-3
Alexander Bublik beat Ben Shelton 3-6, 7-6 and 6-4
Aryna Sabalenka beat Danielle Collins 4-6, 6-4 and 6-3
Elena Rybakina beat Sara Bejlek 6-1 and 6-3
Madison Keys beat Coco Gauff 7-6, 4-6 and 6-4
Iga Swiatek beats Sara Sorribes Tormo with 6-1 and 6-0
Our Jabeur beat Jelena Ostapenko 6-0 and 6-4
Beatriz Haddad Maia beat Maria Sakkari 6-4 and 6-4
