Emma Raducanu finishes strongly to reach second round in Madrid
Emma Raducanu won 11 of the last 12 games to defeat Tereza Martincova for the second time in a fortnight in the opening round of the Madrid Open.
Rafael Nadal Sport News
These are the top 10 sporting rivalries
The two tennis stars played head-to-head 14 times between 1978 and 1981, competing in the biggest tennis tournaments around the world.
'Like Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal' - Jimmy White compares Ronnie O'Sullivan and John Higgins to legends
Jimmy White has no doubt got both snooker and tennis fans purring by comparing Ronnie O'Sullivan and John Higgins to fellow sporting legends Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. O’Sullivan last met Higgins at the Crucible in 2011, with the latter winning their quarter-final 13-11, with the pair's epic battles often referred to as the 'Clasico' of snooker. Ad/> Both have a genuine chance of winning yet another World Championship title in Sheffield, and age certainly does not appear to be slowing down either at this stage of their careers.
Iga Swiatek opts for rest ahead of French Open as Rafael Nadal errs other way by playing Madrid Open
Iga Swiatek has made absolutely no secret of her Rafael Nadal fandom. She stuck around in Melbourne earlier this year to watch him win the Australian Open. She has admitted she cried when he lost to Novak Djokovic at the French Open last year.
Rafael Nadal fired Novak Djokovic warning as Serb tipped to be 'a beast' at French Open
Novak Djokovic has been tipped to become a "scary" opponent in time for his French Open title defence, threatening Rafael Nadal's chances of picking up a record 14th title in Paris. The world No 1 started the season slowly after being unable to compete over his unvaccinated status but recently made his first final of the year in Serbia and has shown "glimpses" of returning to his top form.
Rafael Nadal Says He Is To Return At Madrid Open Next Week
Rafael Nadal is to return to competitive action at next week's Madrid Open, a month out from the French Open which the Spanish legend has won 13 times. The 35-year-old resumed training last week after being on the sidelines for four weeks due to a rib injury. He said on social media he wanted to play in the Spanish capital despite being "short of preparation".
A hero’s welcome for Rafa Nadal, and a heart-to-heart with Simona Halep – Madrid Open diary
Hero’s welcome for Rafa “Gracias por ser español” or “Thank you for being Spanish” yelled out one of the thousand or so spectators that got to watch Rafael Nadal practice on El Estadio Manolo Santana on Thursday at the Caja Magica. Ad/> Everyone laughed, including Nadal, who was hitting with fellow lefty Federico Delbonis of Argentina.
Osaka on tuning out doubters & using Nadal for new approach
Naomi Osaka hopes to filter out any negativity in her preparation for the clay-court season as she continues to heal from being heckled in a second-round loss at Indian Wells last month.