Rafa eases past Mathieu

Eurosport - Fri, 21 Aug 16:24:00 2009

Rafael Nadal produced a polished display to see off Paul-Henri Mathieu 7-5 6-2 and progress to the quarter-finals of the Cincinnati Masters.

Rafael nadal v mathieu cincinnati - 0

The Spaniard will meet Tomas Berdych in the last eight after the Czech cruised to a 6-4 6-3 win over Chris Guccione.

Nadal is feeling his way back to full fitness following two months on the sidelines with knee trouble and his efforts so far in Cincinnati and last week in Toronto have been somewhat inconsistent.

Nadal was slow to find his stride against Mathieu, but his form improved as the match went on and the signs for the future with the US Open on the horizon are certainly positive.

As in his previous match against Andreas Seppi, Nadal's timing was a little awry and Mathieu needed no second invitation as he secured a break of serve in the second game.

The world number three took some time to get into the match, but a stunning backhand pass on the run in game seven got the crowd on their feet and prompted a fist-pump from Nadal.

The shot seemed to lift Nadal as he repeated the it later in the game before securing a break.

Nadal upped the ante in game 11 as passing shots on both sides increased the pressure on Mathieu and he succumbed when netting a smash on break point down.

Nadal held serve to take the opening set and secured an early break at the start of the second set with a superb forehand passing shot.

The belief was sucked out of Mathieu by the early break and with the pressure off, Nadal produced some of his best tennis since returning to action.

The Spaniard hit the ball cleanly off both wings and with great accuracy to wrap up the second set comfortably and with it a place in the quarter-finals.

Eurosport

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  1. NADAL YOU ARE THE BEST. YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT IT.­ murray IS LIKE PIG. murray CAN'T PLAY WELL TENNIS.­ ZYCZE POWODZENIA NADALOWI, BO TO JEDYNY MESKI FACET, A­ TEN murray TO ŚWINKA TAKA.

    From clooneyowen, on Fri 21 Aug 6:28PM

  2. Nadal looked very good in the second set, and it is­ very encouraging to see him enjoying his tennis.­ That's the best sign that things are on track. The­ improvement curve could be pretty steep over the next 2­ weeks as the abdominal strain works itself out, so he­ could be as good as 90% in form come September. Better­ still, he's not playing doubles, so the perennial­ tiredness that has always dogged him will not be an­ issue. He is fresh and ready to go. Talent and match­ practice should do the rest, and once he recovers his­ old total disbelief in the possibility of losing, he­ will be a match for anyone. Andy Murray is in­ frighteningly good form but I think Nadal will be­ playing at least as well if he gets through to the­ second week of the USO.

    From James W, on Fri 21 Aug 3:41PM
  3. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    this guy's a faggooot

    From christoffercirillo, on Fri 21 Aug 2:36PM

  4. so nice FINALLY see only good wishes while all haters­ stay outside. Great!
    Rafa, all the best in comeback!

    From Mia, on Fri 21 Aug 1:59PM

  5. Come on Rafa in the final i hope nice to have you back.

    From AJ, on Fri 21 Aug 1:25PM

  6. number 8 Rafa isn't afraid of Federer and if the­ draw is like it was the past three years then Federer­ and Nadal will be in the opposite sides of the draw as­ the 2 and 3 seeds played against each other in the­ semis 2006 Federer 1 v Davydenko 4 in semis, 2008­ (Federer 2 vs Djokovic 3)and in the 2007 final (federer­ 1 vs djokovic 3 ), so Rafa has nothing to worry about­ but i doubt he was worrying in the first place, i hope­ he gets through to the semis or the finals it would be­ great for his confidence.

    From TINA, on Fri 21 Aug 12:56PM

  7. I have a horrible feeling that Nadal is not up to the­ standard of Murray, and may never again, and if that is­ so, it will be the end of tennis for me. I just­ couldn't stand the hype at Wimbledon as the usual­ suspects prattle on about Murray. Sure, he is doing­ great, but his style of play, his look, his attitude,­ have a depressing air about them, and lack the style­ and charisma brought to the game by the likes of Borg,­ Edberg, Federer, and Nadal.

    From webbski, on Fri 21 Aug 12:53PM

  8. Some people been very like, hope this time the legs of­ the GREAT RAFAEL NADAL, are in good condition, Arriva,­ Arriva, we waiting for youuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu.

    From JUAN A, on Fri 21 Aug 12:25PM

  9. all the best for the quarterfinal we love you rafa

    From lyza, on Fri 21 Aug 12:14PM

  10. Comment No.8 Lots of ifs, but I do hope it happens. On­ the other hand, I don't think Rafa is afraid of­ Federer, so why should he avoid him? He'll be all­ right, and if not, we'll still love him. And I do­ think that if he doesn't get his ranking back this­ week, he'll certainly get it back at the US Open.

    From Jimmy, on Fri 21 Aug 12:06PM

  11. Come on Rafa great to have you back now just win win­ win ang get what you deserve NO 1 back on my back­ supporting you all the way xxxxx

    From karenalder, on Fri 21 Aug 11:37AM

  12. Come on, RAFA!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    Now, i love tennis again.

    From Mike, on Fri 21 Aug 11:16AM

  13. WHAT A PLAYER - GENIUS! Ps Can anybody tell me why­ Uncle Toni is missing?

    From malcolm, on Fri 21 Aug 10:21AM

  14. Rafa is back and I'm very happy to see him playing­ so well.

    From mirjanav2000, on Fri 21 Aug 10:12AM

  15. great win and excellent test to pass, looks like the­ knees are ok at the moment lets hope that thats the way­ it stays and rafa can storm back up the ladder­ rankings, still a long slog but if anybody can do it he­ can.

    From ralph, on Fri 21 Aug 9:25AM

  16. jUST watching MY boy.... COME ON RAFA!!!

    From Nyanyui, on Fri 21 Aug 9:11AM

  17. vamos rafa !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    esti cel mai bun
    fii al­ 7 lea magnific la us open­ !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!(daca castiga us open devine­ al 7 lea om din istorie care ia toate turneele de­ gs)

    vamos rafa !!!!
    you are the best !
    be the 7th­ magnific at us open |(if he wins us open he becomes the­ 7th player from the history who wins all gs titles­ )!!!!!

    From Damaris, on Fri 21 Aug 8:55AM

  18. VAMOOOS RAFAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!­ esti cel mai bun o sa iei Cincinatti si Flashing­ Meadows(US OPEN)

    From adrianegulescu, on Fri 21 Aug 8:02AM

  19. It doesn't matter what people say, the TENNIS­ MATADOR is back and he's here to stay. what an­ incredible display from Rafa given that he's been­ out of competition for over 10 weeks. he's­ gathering pace now and back on track. VAMOS RAFA......­ V is for Victory. we love u.

    From Immac Reno, on Fri 21 Aug 7:46AM

  20. Bravo Rafa.......Lets go........You are the best.......­ Love­ you
    VAMOSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS­ SSSSSSSS

    From Nadica, on Fri 21 Aug 7:25AM
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