January 28

Rafa Nadal powered his way through the quarterfinals of the Australian Open and booked himself the last ticket available in the men’s draw after beating Gilles Simon from France, 6-2, 7-5, 7-5.

“Today was though, because playing against Simon is always difficult. I couldn’t always play my rhythm because when I play my rhythm with the forehand trying to chance directions with the forehand, it’s good for him, no?” then he continued.

”I think he feels very well two meters behind the baseline and running all the time”. “I think I had to change a little bit the strategy, trying to play a little bit more slice, short balls, try to change the rhythm, no? Play higher, play lower, so that’s what I did today”.

With this victory Rafa set up an all-Spanish semi-final clash with Fernando Verdasco, who has continued an impressive march through the Australian Open after beating Jo-Wilfred Tsonga from France in four sets. 

RAFA –VS- SIMON

Rafa broke the Frenchman in the opening game of the match, then held his own serve to love to quickly assert his dominance, racing through the set with little pressure.

The pattern continued when the Rafa picked up an early break of serve in the second set and later in the third an unforced error from the Frenchman set up two break points, with the Spaniard clinching the second before serving out the match to love.

Rafa and Fernando have met 6 times in the past, with Rafa winning all of the encounters. Their last meeting was in last year’s Roland Garros where Rafa breezed past him in straight sets. However, everyone knows those stats don’t count as Fernando Verdasco is a completely different player now and one to watch in the future without doubt.

“ Fernando is playing at his best level. I (have) never played against him when he’s playing at the level he’s at right now, because I think he never played at this level before, beating Murray, beating Tsonga”.

“Sometimes in the past he had some mistakes in important moments and he lost a bit of concentration but he’s changing these things, no?”... “It will be very tough”.

Best of luck to you in the semifinals Rafa!

Vamos!!