Rafael Nadal survives Denis Shapovalov thriller to reach Aus Open last 4
Rafael Nadal moved to within two matches of a record 21st Grand Slam title with a dogfight five-set quarter-final win over Denis Shapovalov at the Australian Open on Tuesday.
One for the ages ✨
🇪🇸 @RafaelNadal defeats Denis Shapovalov 6-3 6-4 4-6 3-6 6-3 to reach his seventh #AusOpen semifinal.#AO2022 pic.twitter.com/2vp5Enfeep
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 25, 2022
The Spanish sixth seed edged the Canadian 14th seed 6-3, 6-4, 4-6, 3-6, 6-3 in 4hr 8min of thrilling action on Rod Laver Arena to advance to his seventh semi-final in Melbourne where he will face either Matteo Berrettini or Gael Monfils.
🇪🇸 Seventh (Semifinal) Heaven 🇪🇸@RafaelNadal • #AO2022 • #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/qW75Z3wGIc
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 25, 2022
It was a gritty win for Nadal over the 22-year-old, who was coming off a straight-sets upset of third seed Alexander Zverev.
"For me, it's everything to be able to play one more time here."
For us, it's an honour @RafaelNadal #AusOpen • #AO2022 • #AOinterview pic.twitter.com/Eu0qEii2e0
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 25, 2022
“It was very tough today. Honestly I didn’t practise for it,” Nadal said.
“Denis was playing great. He is very talented, very aggressive and he was serving huge. It’s amazing to be in the semi-finals.”
"For me it's just a present of life that I am here playing tennis again."
Find someone to love the way @RafaelNadal loves tennis 💙🎾#AO2022 • #AusOpen • #AOInterview pic.twitter.com/Sg6tAskNeW
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 25, 2022
The Spanish legend is tied with great rivals Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer on 20 major titles but with Djokovic forced home by deportation over vaccination issues and Federer injured, the opportunity is there for him to go clear at the top.