Crowd-pleaser Rafael Nadal yesterday easily defeated Mikhail Kukushkin of Kazakhstan 6-2, 6-3 to reach the semi-finals on his debut at the Thailand Open
Bangkok: Crowd-pleaser Rafael Nadal yesterday easily defeated Mikhail Kukushkin of Kazakhstan 6-2, 6-3 to reach the semi-finals on his debut at the Thailand Open.
Rafael Nadal in action against Mikhail Kukushkin in
Thailand Open yesterday. PIC/AFP
Nadal, the world number one whose first appearance in Thailand has attracted huge attention, will next face compatriot Guillermo Garcia-Lopez, a winner over fourth seed Ernests Gulbis of Latvia 7-6 (7/4), 4-6, 6-3.
Even a dozen aces could not save Gulbis from defeat as his opponent fired ten. Despite his success in 71 minutes, Nadal insisted he's not a favourite for his seventh title of the season.
"I'm not favourite, it's very difficult to win a tournament. I'm in the semi-final. "But I have a difficult match tomorrow and I must play really well if I want to win," said Nadal.
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