Rafael Nadal pulled off a great escape against David Goffin at the 2022 Madrid Masters. He saved four match points before beating the Belgian 6-3, 5-7, 7-6 (9) in the third round on Thursday.
The Spaniard almost had the match in the bag in the second set, but the Belgian saved two match points to force a decider. The deciding-set tie-break featured plenty of twists and turns as both players refused to budge. Goffin's defense finally gave out after 20 points as he fired a routine forehand wide of the tramline.
While Nadal appeared supremely calm and composed at the time, his supporters, including wife Maria Francisca Perello, could barely contain their emotions.
Perello doesn't often accompany her husband to matches, but with the Madrid Masters taking place close to home, she made an exception. Her reward for the trip was a small bout of anxiety. The cameras caught the former World No. 1's wife trying her best to hold her nerve as the action unfolded.
At one point, she even resorted to praying, a gesture that encapsulated the feelings of Nadal fans all over the world.
Rafael Nadal to take on Carlos Alcaraz in the quarterfinals of the 2022 Madrid Masters
Following his victory over David Goffin, Rafael Nadal will take on countryman Carlos Alcaraz for a spot in the semifinals on Friday. The teenager disposed of ninth seed Cameron Norrie in the quarterfinals to set up a meeting with his childhood idol.
The duo have faced off twice till date, with both fixtures going in favor of the 21-time Grand Slam champion. The Mallorcan beat the World No. 10 in straight sets during last year's Madrid Masters. He needed three sets to prevail over the young Spaniard at the 2022 Indian Wells Open.
The match-up is guaranteed to be a blockbuster. A win against Alcaraz would pit the World No. 4 against either top seed Novak Djokovic or 12th seed Hubert Hurkacz.
Also Check Out :-Madrid Open 2022 Results
What is the foot injury that has troubled Rafael Nadal over the years? Check here