In his first two matches in Madrid, Nadal got the job done without losing a set, but he did have to give up a set against Cachin. After Nadal won the first set convincingly 6-1, the second set went to the Argentinian after a tiebreak. However, Nadal did not let this discourage him and won the decisive set 6-3. After a three-hour match, the next round was a fact.
When both players then shook hands at the net, Cachin created a striking moment. “It’s a dream come true to play against you,” he told Nadal. “I don’t know if it’s customary, but could I have your shirt?”
The most normal thing in the world in football, but quite unusual in tennis. Nadal acceded to his opponent’s request and appeared to say he would hand over his shirt in the catacombs.
In the 1/8th final, Nadal will face the Czech Jiří Lehečka. The Spaniard has already won the Masters 1000 tournament in ‘his’ Madrid four times before. In less than a month he will be in Paris looking for a fifteenth final victory at Roland Garros.
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