Rafael Nadal survives major Madrid Masters scare to set-up Carlos Alcaraz meeting
- Planet Sport writer
- 6 May 2022
Spanish titans set for quarter-final showdown in Madrid and Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz both advance.
Rafael Nadal survived a major scare at the Madrid Masters as he needed to save match points to overcome David Goffin.
Nadal appeared to be cruising when he was a set up and 5-3 ahead in the second.
Goffin managed to stun the King of Clay though by winning four games on the bounce to force a deciding set.
That went all the way to a tiebreak, with Nadal forced to save four match points en-route to a 6-4, 5-7, 7-6 win.
"I didn't have a lot of preparation, and we have to see how I'm able to wake up tomorrow after practically two months without any preparation.
"I have to accept that things may not be easy. But I am happy with the victory.
"It gives me an opportunity to play another day. I have a chronic injury which has no treatment.
"That's part of my life, and that's the downside of not being able to finish the match earlier. In the short term, I think I am fine, physically speaking."
Nadal was also asked about Real Madrid's amazing Champions League semi-final win over Man City, which he attended the previous night.
"It was an unforgettable night," Nadal said.Ā "The spirit that the Real Madrid team has is just incredible.
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ā Tennis TV (@TennisTV) May 5, 2022
All four match point saves as @RafaelNadal seals a special Madrid victory!@RafaelNadal #MMOPEN pic.twitter.com/phNlJCDPwE
"For me today, in some ways it has been an inspiration in the way I have been fighting all my tennis career.
"I know how hard it is to lose this way so I feel sorry for them (City). But somehow for us, the supporters of Real Madrid, it was an incredible night."
Nadal will now face the player who appears to be his natural successor - the brilliant 19 year old Carlos Alcaraz.
Alcaraz beat British number one 6-4, 6-7, 6-3 in his match, and will attempt to beat his idol at the fourth attempt in the quarter-finals.
There were also wins for Alexander Zverev, Andrey Rublev, Stefanos Tsitsipas, and Felix Auger-Aliassime, while Novak Djokovic received a walkover against Andy Murray.
