Rafael Nadal, playing his first event after a seven-month injury layoff, advanced to the semi-finals of the $410,200 Vina del Mar ATP claycourt tournament with a straight-sets win on Friday.
The 11-time Grand Slam champion from Spain ousted seventh-seeded countryman Daniel Gimeno-Traver 6-1, 6-4. Nadal will now face third seed Jeremy Chardy.
Rafael Nadal. PIC/AFPu00a0
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“Today, I had more confidence than the other days,” said Nadal, who also entered doubles here in order to gain more match experience.
“That is positive. It gives me confidence, and reasons to believe that I’m on the right way. I’m happy to win in singles against a tough opponent like Dani and to reach the semi-finals after seven months,” he said. u00a0“In this tournament, I had a good feeling. The crowd gave me their support all the time,” he added.
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