Rafael Nadal commends Del Potro following Shanghai Masters semifinal defeat

World number one Rafael Nadal lost in the semifinals of the Shanghai Masters on Saturday to Argentina’s Juan Martin Del Potro and the Spaniard was quick to commend the opponent for the impressive gameplay.

“[Del Potro] played a lot of important points to the limit,” said Nadal. “He was able to keep hitting the lines, playing as hard as he could, and made no mistakes in those important moments.

“It is great to see him play again at this very, very high level. In the end it’s good to have players who have the potential to play at this unbelievable level.”

Despite the loss, Nadal still holds an 8-4 head to head series lead over Del Potro.

“I’m going home knowing that I did all that I had to do. I played today against a player that was better than me tonight,” the Spaniard, who still seeks his first Masters title in Shanghai, said.

“Getting to the semi-finals is a positive result,” he added. “I played seven [ATP World Tour Masters 1000] events this year. I played in six finals, earned five titles and reached one semi-final. You cannot expect to be in the final every week, especially when the best players are also there.”

Rafael Nadal will next take part at the Swiss Indoors Basel and the Paris Masters which takes place later this month.

“I’m going to Paris with the motivation to keep playing well,” said Nadal. “The rest of the season is for enjoying what I have already accomplished this year.”

“What happened to me this season is just very emotional and fantastic.”

Nadal was the first to qualify for the ATP World Tour Finals. He’s joined by Novak Djokovic, David Ferrer and Juan Martin Del Potro in the elite eight-man event. Wimbledon Champion Andy Murray secured a place in the event but had to withdraw due to rehabilitation from a recent back surgery. The ATP World Tour Finals will take place from November 4 to 11 at The O2 Arena.