Rafael Nadal beat Cameron Norrie in straight sets to reach quarter-finals of Nordea Open

Rafael Nadal put on an impressive display to reach his first quarter-final on clay since 2022. A straight-sets win against Cameron Norrie saw the Spaniard come from 4-1 down in the second set to reach the last eight of the Nordea Open by winning five games in a row. The 22-time Grand Slam champion Nadal will play Mariano Navone next in the quarter-finals.

Highlights as Nadal secures win over Norrie at Nordea Open

Video credit: SNTV

Rafael Nadal says he is getting closer to being “on rhythm” after reaching the quarter-finals of the Nordea Open with a 6-4 6-4 win over Cameron Norrie.

Nadal fulfilled his aim of reaching the quarter-finals of a clay event for the first time since winning the French Open in 2022.

The 22-time Grand Slam champion dispatched the son of legendary Bjorn Borg - Leo - in the first round to set up the clash with Norrie.

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Norrie has endured a torrid 2024 to date and his quest for a first quarter-final appearance since Barcelona three months ago failed to bear fruit.

Both players were looking sharp in the opening exchanges, with the first six games all going the way of serve.

However, Nadal made the first break before going on to take the first set.

Throughout the season to date, Norrie had crumbled in similar situations but this time he fought back.

The former British No. 1 saved a break point in the first game of the second set before going on to break the Nadal serve to race into a 4-1 lead.

However, those familiar frailties crept back in as Norrie was broken to love and Nadal won 11 consecutive points on his way to levelling at 4-4.

A further break from Nadal gave the Spaniard the opportunity to serve out the match and, after earning himself three match points, he completed the job with an emphatic ace.

Nadal will play Mariano Navone next.

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Speaking at the end of the match, Nadal said: “I’ve been a while without playing on the Tour since Roland-Garros and to have the chance to compete well against a great player like Cameron is a great feeling.

“I think I played, for moments, good tennis. For moments, I need to play a little bit more aggressive but it’s part of the journey today.

“I haven’t been competing very often so matches, victories like today helps to be on rhythm the whole match and hold the pressure on the opponent during the whole match. That’s something I need to improve today because I didn’t play enough.”

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Former Spain international footballer Juan Mata was watching from the stands and Nadal admitted it was a pleasant surprise to have him cheering him on.

“I think sportspeople talk the same language,"Nadal said. "I mean sportspeople support sportspeople around the world, but especially from the same country, of course, is something special.”

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