Rafael Nadal Reinstates King Of Clay Title At Barcelona Open?


Rafael Nadal is blazing after his win at Monte Carlo. He has now progressed into the semifinal of the Barcelona Open, showing the world that he is ready to take back his old title of the King of Clay. Will the Spaniard push through to the end to make sure he has good odds of winning the French Open title this year?

“Eight-time winner Rafael Nadal beat 12th-seeded Fabio Fognini 6-2, 7-6 (1) to advance to the semifinals of the Barcelona Open on Friday, avenging a loss to the Italian at the tournament last year,” reports ESPN.

This victory was particularly sweet for the world No. 5, as he showed Fabio Fognini that he is still a power to be reckoned with on court, especially when that is made of clay.

One of the things that the King of Clay pointed to as his comeback was his renewed confidence in the game.

“If this had happened last year, it might not have been a drama, but it would have caused an attack of nerves,” Rafael Nadal said to ESPN. “I am still angry I wasn’t able to go up 3-0 (in the second set). At that moment I knew anything could happen.”

He will face Philipp Kohlschreiber in the semifinal of Barcelona Open.

When his fans deduce the odds of him taking the ultimate victory at Roland Garros this year, more and more are growing convinced that the time is right for Nadal to regain some of his old glory back.

“We lament that his consistency has slipped,” a writer stated on Sports Illustrated. “But even that implies that he’s still capable of greatness. Even with a first round loss in Australia, he’s playing Top Five tennis in 2016. He appears to be healthy. And the next Grand Slam is one he’s claimed NINE times.”

But seeing how he comes fresh off of Monte Carlo, the King of Clay might have enough confidence and optimism to push him into the finals.

“The Spaniard who has ruled for most of his career on the dirt, went for two and three-quarter hours before beating Frenchman Gael Monfils 7-5, 5-7, 6-0 in a morale-boosting victory of massive proportions,” reports Telegraph UK.

“Winning nine times here is something unbelievable for me. Outside of that, that is something so special. Compete well two weeks in a row is something so positive,” Nadal said in a post-game interview in the same article.

On other news, the former world No. 1 is still going steady with his girlfriend Xisca Perello. She was there to congratulate him when he won the Monte Carlo title.

Check out the King of Clay giving Xisca a sweet kiss after his victory against Gael Monfils.

Plus, he has been working on the tennis academy that he and his uncle Toni founded. The school is ready to open and with a prestige that only he can provide, Rafael has been posting a lot about it on his social media accounts.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BEZRSY4o0D1/?taken-by=rafaelnadal

But if he were to continue performing at a high level, he will need to make sure that he does not develop his minor aches into major injuries.

My wrist was bothering me since Australia a little bit, so I did a treatment that day in Barcelona, no?” he said according to Tennis-X. “That’s why I had the tape on. But that’s it. The next morning the tape was not there anymore. Was recovered the thing that I did for the treatment. That’s it. I have been able to practice.”

Do you think Rafael Nadal will finally reinstate his title of King of Clay this season? Let us know in the comments below!

[Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images]

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