By Chris Oddo | Sunday March 26, 2017
Rafael Nadal overcame a first-set thrashing and battled past Philipp Kohlschreiber in three sets to reach the round of 16 in Miami.
Photo Source: Matthew Stockman/Getty
Rafael Nadal’s 1000th career match was not without suspense or ambiance. And, it featured the swashbuckling Spaniard’s best response to adversity—another time-honored trademark.
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In other words, a good time was had by all during Nadal’s 0-6, 6-2, 6-3 victory over Philipp Kohlschreiber at the Miami Open. Well, except the German who came out on the losing end.
In the end Nadal celebrated his milestone match like he has celebrated so many other times: with a victory, and cheered on by a boisterous crowd that urged him on. But on this occasion Nadal did manage affairs in a most unique way. For the first time in history, the Spaniard battled back from suffering a first-set bagel at the hands of his opponent to win. It was just the third time he has ever lost a love set and gone on to win the match.
After quickly falling behind a scorching-hot Kohlschreiber, and winning only seven points on serve in the opening set, Nadal quickly turned the table. He dropped just three points on serve the rest of the way and connected on three of his six break point opportunities to roll to victory in one hour and 38 minutes.
Nadal has now won 822 of those 1,000 matches he’s played and he’ll move on to face Frenchman Nicolas Mahut in the round of 16 in Tuesday’s afternoon session at Miami.
The Spaniard improves to 14-1 lifetime against Kohlschreiber, and 16-4 overall on the season.
It was rare to see Nadal down so quickly in this match, but what was predictable—and a sight to behold—was the fierce concentration that Nadal was able to summon after falling behind. His body language told the story of a man unwilling to yield, and he systematically took control of proceedings not just with his tennis, but with his will to compete.
If Federer’s regal, effortless sway is his trademark, than Nadal’s is most certainly his defiant, unyielding swagger. There is no quit in this man, no off-switch, no sag.
He fights, and if he cannot win with electric shotmaking or pitch-perfect tactics, he’ll resort to showing his teeth and turning a match into a street fight.
Kohlschreiber didn’t have enough to take it to the street today. Nadal turned the tides so swiftly that all the German could do was look on helplessly as his upset hopes were washed away.
Fognini Saunters into Round of 16
Italy’s Fabio Fognini is putting together a nice run in Miami. He battled from a set down to defeat France’s Jeremy Chardy and will next face American Donald Young. Young has now reached the round of 16 at both Indian Wells and Miami, but he has never before reached the last eight at the Masters 1000 level.
Nadal’s next opponent, Nicolas Mahut, also reached the round of 16 at a Masters 1000 for the first time. The 35-year-old defeated Guido Pella. It has been a long time coming for one of the most well-liked and talented players of his age group. The Frenchman is a two-time major champion on the doubles court and he reached a career-high ranking of No.37 in the world in 2014. He is well known for losing to John Isner in the longest match in tennis history, but Mahut has carved out quite an exceptional career for himself.
Federico Delbonis was also a winner on Sunday and the Argentine will face Kei Nishikori in the round of 16.
Jack Sock and Jiri Vesely will play the last match of the night on Sunday in Miami, with the winner moving on to face Jared Donaldson in the round of 16. Donaldson booked his spot in the final 16 when Milos Raonic announced his withdrawal due to a hamstring injury.