Rafael Nadal edged past David Goffin 6-3 5-7 7-6(9) in a dramatic three hour contest to reach the quarter-finals in Madrid.
Nadal was cruising towards victory at 6-3 5-3 and even had two match points before Goffin came back to force a decider.
The Belgian produced some vintage tennis to push Nadal to his limits and even had four match points himself.
However the 21-time grand slam champion survived the three hour contest to set up a last eight meeting with Carlos Alcaraz or Cameron Norrie.
The start of the match saw Goffin construct some effective points as he hit the ball cleanly and tested Nadal’s ability from all areas of the baseline.
Nadal’s lack of match time certainly was exposed throughout the course of the match and despite some impressive returns, was lacking consistency.
Eventually Goffin’s persistency and defensive skills earned its rewards as he got the break for a 3-2 lead.
After that though it was all Nadal as he went through the gears and slowly showed why he is the king of clay, dominating through his heavy forehand.
As the unforced errors was produced from the Belgian, Nadal displayed confidence and took full advantage as he reeled off four games in a row and two breaks of serve to claim the opening set in 48 minutes.
Nadal capitalised on his momentum from the opening set as he reeled off the winners and caused problems to Goffin’s gameplan.
The Belgian was too conservative on serve and Nadal made him pay as he broke to love for a 2-1 lead.
Goffin couldn’t do anything to disrupt Nadal’s rhythm in the middle of the set as Nadal bullied the Belgian into errors and continued his dominance on serve.
However Nadal’s match rustiness came to haunt him as he couldn’t finish the match off on his two match points in the ninth and tenth games, which meant Goffin made him pay the price as he broke back for 5-5.
Goffin grabbed his moment and played more aggressive tennis, winning four games in a row as he levelled the match at one set all.
The Spanish crowd were enticed in this battle and so was Nadal as he looked for the immediate break in the decider but was denied by the plucky Belgian.
As the match went on Goffin continued to answer the questions posed of him in emphatic style as he continued to hit winners past a tentative Spaniard.
Nadal’s serve and forehand were defensive and this match turned into a battle of defensive attrition as no more break points were created as the deciding set went to a thrilling tiebreak.
The tiebreak was back and forth but it was Goffin who was presented with four opportunities to seal a massive win including a forehand down the line at 6-5.
But the pressure and nerves got to the Belgian and after three hours and 11 minutes, Nadal sealed a dramatic win in Madrid to reach the last eight.
After the match Nadal admitted to the ATP website that it was a tough match, “Honestly, it was a very tough match,” the 21-time grand slam champion said.
“I think I played at a very high level. But at the same time I am not completely happy because I have to finish the match in straight sets, without a doubt. A very important victory, saving match points. That’s confidence, that gives me the chance to keep going. I need matches and I need a day like to day to be fitter sooner.”
Nadal will now meet Carlos Alcaraz or Cameron Norrie in the quarter-finals. Nadal leads the head-to-head against Alcaraz 2-0 including beating him on his 18th birthday last year, while he leads the head-to-head against Norrie 4-0.
The match will take place at not before 3pm BST after Novak Djokovic’s clash with Hubert Hurkacz.
