Spanish tennis player Rafael Nadal celebrates after winning against US John Isner during the ATP Tennis Open tournament at the Foro Italico, on May 14, 2015 in Rome. PHOTO : AFP
Nadal came into the event looking to make amends for his defeat to Andy Murray in the final of the Madrid Masters last week, when the Scot took his victory streak to a remarkable 10 wins out of 10 on clay this season.
The Spaniard’s hopes of seeing his beloved Real Madrid go all the way in the Champions League, however, were kept in check when the record 10-time champions were ousted from the semi-finals of the competition by Juventus on Wednesday.
While Nadal now meets Swiss Stan Wawrinka, who beat Dominic Thiem 7-6 (6/3), 6-4, for a place in the semi-finals, he admits — at least publicly — he will be sitting on the fence when Real’s arch-rivals Barcelona take on Juventus in the June 6 final of Europe’s premier club competition in Berlin.
“I’ve lost a lot of times, and Real Madrid lost yesterday. That’s just part and parcel of sport,” said the Spaniard, who beat Isner 6-4, 6-4. “I have a good friend at Juventus in Fernando Llorente — I will be happy for him — and also Alvaro Morata. At the end of the day, if Barcelona win I will be happy for them, but if Juventus win I will also be happy because I have friends there as well.”
In the meantime, Nadal said he was happy with his game but said he was not “consistent enough” to be considered the main favourite for the French Open next month, when he will be bidding for a record 10th title in Paris.
Second seed Roger Federer joined Nadal in the quarter-finals after beating South Africa’s Kevin Anderson 6-3, 7-5 in the third round.
Serena, Murray withdraw
Defending champion Serena Williams withdrew from the Italian Open with an elbow injury.
Shortly after sister Venus was swept aside 6-2, 6-1 by Romanian second seed Simona Halep, top seed Serena announced her withdrawal prior to her third round match with Christina McHale.
Meanwhile, Britain’s world number three Murray announced his withdrawal from the Rome Masters on Thursday, citing fatigue following his unbeaten start to the claycourt season.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 15th, 2015.
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