Rafael Nadal, the top winner of Grand Slam tournaments, eliminated Novak Djokovic tonight and entered the semifinals of the Roland Garros Tennis Open in Paris, where he won the title 13 times.
In his ‘home’, in the tournament that “has definitively marked me”, as he stated just after the battle on clay, the Spanish tennis player won with partials of 6-2, 4-6, 6-2 and 7-6 (7-4 in the tie break), after 4 hours and 12 minutes of intense fighting.
The native of Manacor, currently ranked fifth in the ATP world ranking, will face the German Alexander Zverev (3), who prevailed over the young Spanish promise, Carlos Alcaraz (6), whom he defeated by 6-4, 6-4, 4-6 and 7-6 (9-7).
“Those who are with me on a day-to-day basis know the effort I am making due to the physical ailments I am having this season. Winning a match like this, with this kind of rival, is an incentive for me”, said Nadal, winner of 21 Major tournaments throughout his career.
The 35-year-old left-hander from Mallorca dominated against the world number 1 and easily resolved the first set.
NADAL WINS! #Roland Garros pic.twitter.com/QYPz8NCuqI
– Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) May 31, 2022
The Serbian reacted and won the second chapter 6-4, after a break, but Nadal showed forcefulness in the third segment, to score an accurate 6-2.
The fourth and last set was changeable and even, although the Spaniard had to overcome a 5-6 that heralded the extension of the match.
However, in the sudden definition, Nadal, who now leads ‘Nole’ 8-2 in matches at Roland Garros, took a quick 6-1 lead and ended up dominating 7-4, after the Belgrade native ‘made up ‘ the fall with obtaining three consecutive points.
In the general history, Djokovic, who holds 20 championships in Grand Slam competitions, continues to be ahead of Nadal, although by a narrow margin: 30-29.
The other quarterfinal matches in the men’s arena will be played on Wednesday. In the first turn, the Russian Andrey Rublev (7) will meet the Croatian Marin Cilic (23), while later the Norwegian Casper Ruud (8) and the Danish Holger Rune (40) will face each other.
? Check out the best moments of @Rafael Nadal ‘s thrilling four-set win over No.1 Novak Djokovic with Highlights by @emirates#Roland Garros | #EmiratesFlyBetterMoments pic.twitter.com/3F2oFCSD00
– Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 1, 2022
