Martin Klizan took an unexpected route to the biggest win of his career, a quarterfinal victory over Rafael Nadal at the China Open. But the 25-year-old almost didn’t get to the match, having withdrawn from his previous event with a wrist injury and nearly losing in the first round of qualifying.
"First round qualies, I was down 4-6, 1-5. That guy had three match points. I mean, you know, the week before I retired in Shenzhen because of the injury," said Klizan.
The world No. 56 then found himself a set and a break down against world No. 2 Nadal, who was also playing his first event back from a wrist injury.
"As I said, Rafa was the better player on the court. He was a set up, 4-2, with break,” said Klizan, who won 6-7 (7), 6-4, 6-3. “I was just fighting. I just didn't want to lose the match and give to Rafa for free. So I was just fighting. I think it helped me that I was very concentrate on that match.
"I just thought that I could play with Rafa, with anyone else. Doesn't matter who is on the opposite side. I think my tennis is now great. I think I can beat anyone on tour. I'm just very happy that I beat Rafa. He's a legend. I'm just very happy that I beat a legend."
Klizan, who won Munich this year as a qualifier, was aware that Nadal had not played in a while. "I thought little bit that he didn't play three months, he was injured," said Klizan. "For every player, it's very tough to come back after injury. Doesn't matter if you have injury for two weeks or half a year, it's always tough."
Klizan was beaten by Tomas Berdych in the semifinals.