Rafael Nadal records three consecutive wins for first time in almost two years

Rafael Nadal will face the Czech Republic’s Jiri Lehecka in his next match.

Rafael Nadal has reached the Round of 16 at the 2024 Madrid Open where he will be facing Jiri Lehecka. Interestingly, it is the first time that the Spaniard has recorded three consecutive victories in any tournament on the ATP Tour since the 2022 US Open. 

Nadal was eliminated in the fourth round by Frances Tiafoe at the 2022 US Open, where he was the second seed. Furthermore, the Spaniard began experiencing fitness issues and injuries following the year’s final Grand Slam.

Later, at the 2023 Australian Open, his hip injury flared and Rafael Nadal decided to take a year off from tennis to get his surgery done. He returned in January, earlier this year, as he was expected to play at the Rod Laver Arena; however, Nadal faced a major injury setback and was sidelined for three more months. 

602 – Rafael Nadal has won three consecutive matches in the ATP after 602 days, he last did so at US Open 2022. Course. #MMOPEN | @MutuaMadridOpen @atptour pic.twitter.com/QX8dkt4269

— OptaAce (@OptaAce) April 29, 2024

The “King of Clay” finally returned at the 2024 Barcelona Open, where he was stunned by Australia’s Alex de Minaur in the second round. Nevertheless, Rafael Nadal decided to play at the 2024 Madrid Open and he has now reached the Round of 16 after securing three consecutive wins for the first time after 602 days. 

Nadal took down the likes of 16-year-old Darwin Blanch in his first match in only 64 minutes. In the next match, he defeated World No. 11 Alex de Minaur and in the Round of 32 he recorded a 6-1, 6-7 (7-5), 6-3 win over Pedro Cachin in just over three hours. 

Rafael Nadal also improved his impressive clay court record against players ranked outside the top 50 in the ATP Rankings to 162-1, a dominant streak that dates back to 2005. The singular loss in this remarkable 19-year run was handed to him by Horacio Zeballos in Chile.

Next up, the Spaniard will face 30th seed Jiri Lehecka, who defeated Hamad Medjedovic and Thiago Monteiro en route to the pre-quarterfinals. If Rafael Nadal manages to defeat Lehecka, he will face Daniil Medvedev or Alexander Bublik in the quarterfinals.

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