Nadal and Ruud save MP, into Nordea Open doubles semi-final
The win came after Ruud was knocked out of the singles event earlier in the day
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Rafael Nadal is playing himself into form ahead of the Olympics next weekend, with the Spaniard putting on a performance alongside Casper Ruud to make the semi-finals of the Nordea Open doubles on Wednesday.
The pair defeated Theo Arribage and Roman Safiullin 6-4, 3-6, 12-10, saving a match point on their way to victory in the one hour, 33 minute clash.
Earlier in the day, Ruud had suffered an upset loss to Brazil’s Thiago Monteiro in the singles event, while Nadal will play Cam Norrie on Thursday for a spot in the quarter-finals.
“It was an emotional match,” Nadal said, referring to Ruud’s loss. “Not easy to be on court after losing singles, but Casper played so well.
“Well done for him. We had some fun. A good level of tennis. We enjoyed it. The crowd was amazing. Full crowd in a doubles match. That’s fantastic.”
Ruud was also optimistic about the duo’s performance.
“When you cannot win singles you have to try to win doubles,” he said after the match. “It was not the best beginning of the day, but a very nice way to finish the day for me.
“Winning alongside Rafa was special today. We saved a match point so a bit lucky, and we look forward to the next match.”
The pair will play the winners of Kotov/Matuszewski and Luz/Matos in the semi-final.
Nadal is also set to play the Olympics doubles event, where he will be combining with Roland-Garros and Wimbledon champion Carlos Alcaraz.
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