Rafael Nadal’s Madrid Open run ended with an emotional straight-sets defeat to Czech teen Jiri Lehecka underneath the roof on Caja Magica.
In entrance of a passionate dwelling crown hoping to see the five-time champion conjure a fairy-tale run deep into the second week in what is predicted to be his final look on the occasion, thirtieth seed Lehecka spoiled the get together with a 7-5 6-4 victory in simply over two hours.
Instantly after the match Nadal mentioned farewell to followers in an on-court interview because the event unfurled 5 banners marking every of his 5 victories in 2008, 2010, 2013, 2014 and 2017.
“That is a kind of days that when it arrives, it’s totally robust, however life and my physique have been sending me alerts for a very long time,” he mentioned. “The dream was to complete right here on courtroom. I’ve been lucky in my life to show my ardour into my job, I’m privileged.”
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In an emotional goodbye, Nadal described the recollections from taking part in in Madrid as a ‘reward’
The 22-time Grand Slam champion arrived in Madrid saying he wasn’t absolutely match and was nervous about his situation, however ultimately was celebrating having received three consecutive matches with out displaying important bodily limitations.
Nadal had just one break alternative towards the big-serving Lehecka who has now received all his three matches in straight units.
“It is superb to share a courtroom with such a legendary participant. It is a dream come true; I at all times wished for this to occur,” Lehecka mentioned.
“I am very grateful to attain such a giant second and all the most effective to Rafa. It is sort of bittersweet to have such a pleasant win in entrance of all these individuals who have been cheering for him. The power was superb.”
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Highlights of Carlos Alcaraz’s victory towards Jan-Lennard Struff on the Madrid Open
Carlos Alcaraz was pushed to the restrict, however discovered the solutions when wanted to beat a gutsy Jan-Lennard Struff 6-3 6-7 (5-7) 7-6 (7-4) in a repeat of final 12 months’s last.
The 20-year-old is aiming to grow to be the primary participant in historical past to win three straight titles on the ATP Masters 1000 occasion.
“Actually this match jogs my memory of final 12 months’s match,” Alcaraz mentioned. “It was fairly tough from the primary level till the final one. It was a fantastic combat and it was tough. It was tough for me to cope with my feelings, to deal with sure moments, tough moments within the match.
“Serving for the match, it was actually tough for me after that 40-0 up, however actually completely satisfied that on the finish it did not have an effect on me with my sport, with my mentality. I stored preventing. That is all that issues and I am actually completely satisfied to get the win on the finish.”
“What a fantastic battle,” Andy Murray’s former coach Miles Maclagan mentioned on Sky Sports activities Tennis. “The model of sport they play and the competition – nothing however respect for Jan-Lennard Struff.
“For all that effort there isn’t any reward ultimately however maybe he’ll take plenty of coronary heart in the way in which he is performed, the way in which he is pushed Alcaraz, the way in which he is continued to indicate resilience and character once I’m positive most would have been writing Alcaraz’s title into the subsequent spherical.
“He stored coming and stored coming and by no means acquired down on himself. That’s one among his massive attributes. This man’s bag of methods is a big one.
“The ability he brings, the athleticism, the punch as properly.”
‘How I missed this, quarters subsequent’
Story of the Tape
Swiatek roars again to succeed in Madrid semi-finals
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Highlights of Iga Swiatek towards Beatriz Haddad Maia
World No 1 Iga Swiatek recovered from dropping the opening set to beat Brazilian eleventh seed Beatriz Haddad Maia 4-6 6-0 6-2 and transfer into the semi-finals.
Swiatek, bidding for her third title this 12 months, broke to guide 3-1 within the first set, however Haddad Maia bounced again to interrupt twice, saving three break factors in between to stage at 4-4, and took the opening set.
That was the primary set the Pole had dropped within the event, however she had an emphatic response, finishing a bagel within the second set, the place the Brazilian didn’t drive a single break level and Swiatek received two service video games to like.
Swiatek continued in the identical vein within the deciding set, breaking on the first alternative to guide 2-0, and though Haddad Maia broke again instantly, the highest seed received 4 of the subsequent 5 video games to finish her comeback.
Having misplaced their first assembly in 2022, Swiatek has now received the final three matches towards the Brazilian.
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Highlights of Madison Keys’ victory towards Ons Jabeur
Swiatek, who has received titles in Indian Wells and on the Qatar Open in 2024, will face Madison Keys in Thursday’s semi-final, after the 18th seed beat Tunisian Ons Jabeur 0-6 7-5 6-1.
The 2022 champion and eighth seed gave the impression to be cruising in direction of a simple win, taking the primary set in solely 24 minutes.
Nonetheless, the American world No 20 fought again within the second and compelled a decider the place she broke twice to succeed in the semi-finals in Madrid for the primary time.
What’s developing on Sky Sports activities Tennis?
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Within the run-up to the second Grand Slam of 2024 – the French Open at Roland Garros from Might 26 – you possibly can watch the entire largest tennis stars in motion dwell on Sky Sports activities as they compete throughout the clay-court season.
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