Nadal defeats Shapovalov, reaches seventh Australian Open semifinals

Rafael Nadal beat Denis Shapovalov in a five-set thriller 6-3, 6-4, 4-6, 3-6, 6-3 to reach his seventh Australian Open semifinals on Tuesday.

Published : Jan 25, 2022 13:09 IST

Rafael Nadal of Spain reacts in his Australain Open quarterfinals match against Denis Shapovalov of Canada.
Rafael Nadal of Spain reacts in his Australain Open quarterfinals match against Denis Shapovalov of Canada.
lightbox-info

Rafael Nadal of Spain reacts in his Australain Open quarterfinals match against Denis Shapovalov of Canada.

Rafa Nadal has drawn within two wins of a record 21st Grand Slam title, claiming a five-set thriller against Denis Shapovalov to grind into the Australian Open semifinals on Tuesday.

On a steamy afternoon at Rod Laver Arena, the warrior Spaniard suffered a huge scare as Shapovalov roared back from two sets down before bowing out 6-3, 6-4, 4-6, 3-6, 6-3 after four taxing hours.

"I was completely destroyed after that," Nadal said on-court after the match, which lasted four hours and eight minutes.

"It's amazing, honestly, to be in the semifinals ... For me it's everything to be able to play one more time here in the Rod Laver Arena."

Nadal narrowly avoided a repeat of last year's quarterfinal in Melbourne when he was sent packing by Stefanos Tsitsipas after taking a two-set lead.

Two months ago, the sixth seed wondered whether his career was finished as he struggled to come back from a foot injury, but he will now prepare for his 36th Grand Slam semi-final against Matteo Berrettini or Gael Monfils.

Alarm bells were ringing for the record bid when the 35-year-old dropped the fourth set and exited the court for a medical time-out.

But he returned to break Shapovalov in the second game of the decider and kept the Canadian at arm's length to the finish.

READ:

After pushing a volley wide on match-point, Shapovalov turned and smashed his racket into the court in anguish.

A beaming Nadal spread his arms wide, leant back and pointed to the corners of the stadium, soaking up one of his finer wins at Melbourne Park.

"We can create histories ... but the real truth is that two months ago, we didn't know if we will be able to be back on Tour at all," he said.

"So here I am. For me it's just a present of life that I'm here playing tennis again."

Shapovalov was brave in defeat but will rue the head start he gave Nadal and later on, the double-fault served at 1-0 down in the final set that gifted the Spaniard three break points.

The hot-tempered Canadian tried everything he could think of as he struggled earlier in the match, demanding Nadal receive a code violation for not taking to the court quickly enough at the start of the second set.

"Are you kidding me? You guys are all corrupt," the 14th seed snapped at the chair umpire when denied satisfaction.

Shapovalov hung in, though, and pounced when Nadal gifted three set points in the third set with a horror service game.

RELATED|

 

He stepped in and thrashed a stunning cross-court thunderbolt off his backhand to claim the third set, turning the match on its head.

Shapovalov was transformed as Nadal grew sluggish, earning a code violation for breaching the serve clock at 2-1 in the fourth set.

After dropping serve and falling 4-1 behind, Nadal called for a trainer, pointed to his stomach and took a tablet.

Wielding his one-handed backhand like a wand, Shapovalov served out the set and seemed certain to repeat the Tsitsipas stunner.

But three break points slipped through his fingers in the decider, allowing Nadal to forge clear and keep the record bid alive.

Nadal will meet the winner of Italian seventh seed Matteo Berrettini and Gael Monfils for a place in the final. .

Sign in to unlock all user benefits
  • Get notified on top games and events
  • Save stories to read later
  • Access to comment on every story
  • Sign up / manage to our newsletters with a single click
  • Get notified by email for early bird access to discounts & offers to our products
Sign in

Comments

Comments have to be in English, and in full sentences. They cannot be abusive or personal. Please abide to our community guidelines for posting your comment