MADRID: Rafael Nadal expressed his commitment to “keep dreaming” as he prolonged his presence at the Madrid Open, triumphing in a grueling three-hour encounter against Argentina’s Pedro Cachin with a score of 6-1, 6-7 (5/7), 6-3 on Monday.
In what could be his final appearance at his home tournament before retirement, the five-time champion generously handed over his shirt to Cachin upon request for a memento from their match. Reflecting on his fluctuating performance in the third-round victory, Nadal remarked, “Some moments good, some moments not good. I found a way to be through.
Despite a few errors, I believe I was still able to be somewhat unexpected in the third set.” He continued, savoring the moment and saying, “Now I’m enjoying.
I’ll have to wait and see how I wake up. I try my hardest to keep dreaming, but for me, playing at home is everything.” Next up for Nadal is a match in the round of 16 against the thirty-first-seeded Jiri Lehecka, a prospect he finds daunting considering Lehecka’s current form and powerful serve. Despite his physical struggles, Nadal remains determined to compete at his best.
