Rafael Nadal advances in the Madrid Open, moving closer to the finals.
Rafael Nadal, who's had a tough year with injuries, won against Facundo Cachín with a score of 6-1, 6-7(5-7), 6-3 in a match that lasted 3 hours and 4 minutes on Monday. This victory suggests he might rekindle his career and prepare for the French Open in May.
It's been since 2022 that Nadal, five-time champion of the Madrid Open, has made it to the quarterfinals of an ATP Tour event, participating in just three tournaments this year.
In a candid conversation with reporters, Nadal said, "I can't guess what the future holds. I'm more unpredictable now than I used to be. You never know how I'll feel tomorrow or what kind of level I'll show tomorrow."
Cachín, ranked 91st in the world, called it a dream to play against Nadal, even asking for his shirt or towel after the match. Showing a kind gesture, Nadal gave him a purple t-shirt.
Despite a smooth start in the first set, Nadal had a tougher time in the second, facing a comeback by Cachín. Although Cachín took the match to a tie-breaker, Nadal managed to save two set points and level the game. In the final set, the 37-year-old regained his control, clinching the match. This win also marks Nadal's first tournament where he played more than two sets of tennis since the start of the year.
Nadal will play against the Czech Republic's Jiří Lehečka in the round of 16 on Tuesday.
A Touching Moment
After giving Cachín a purple t-shirt, both players exited the court.
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Source: edition.cnn.com
