Fourth seed Rafael Nadal moved closer to a fifth Mutua Madrid Open title on Friday, fighting off a determined ninth seed David Goffin 7-6(3), 6-2 to reach the semi-finals. “I think it was a very good match and nice to watch. Goffin and I played at a really high level,” said Nadal. “It was a very tough match that I had to play at my highest level to be able to make the semi-finals. It's one of the matches that you go back home with a lot of adrenaline and feel satisfied for the work done.” Nadal is still in position to become the first player to sweep all three ATP World Tour Masters 1000 clay-court events, Roland Garros and...
Uruguayan Pablo Cuevas produced a moment of brilliance on Friday to turn the tables on #NextGenATP German Alexander Zverev in a 3-6, 6-0, 6-4 victory at the Mutua Madrid Open for a place in his first ATP World Tour Masters 1000 semi-final. Cuevas hit the Hot Shot of the year as the pair's first meeting turned in his favour early in the second set, when Zverev served at 0-1, 40/30. Cuevas drew Zverev to the net with a delicate drop shot, only to be drawn to the net himself. Zverev then produced a backhand lob volley that sent the World No. 27 scurrying back to the baseline. Assured at the net, Zverev appeared to be the favourite to win the...
Watch Pablo Cuevas earn Hot Shot honours with a sensational no-look winner against Alexander Zverev on Friday at the Mutua Madrid Open. Watch live matches at tennistv.com.
Pablo Cuevas produced a sensational no-look winner on Friday against Alexander Zverev early in the second set of their quarter-final at the Mutua Madrid Open. The Uruguayan went on to win 3-6, 6-0, 6-4 and advance to the last four. Read Report
“I don't practise it very often,” Cuevas said of the stunning shot. “It was just a last-minute thing that I hit. I thought it would work. Normally I never try that shot. I thought I hit the ball pretty well. When I saw that I placed it in a good place in the court, I [was] happy for that.”
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Watch Friday highlights from the Mutua Madrid Open as Rafael Nadal and Dominic Thiem, among others, move into the semi-finals. Watch live matches at tennistv.com. Photo: Getty Images