The Spaniard gets into the semifinals after defeating Djokovic in another epic match that lasted more than 4 hours
MADRID, 1 Jun. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The Spanish tennis player Rafael Nadal shone at midnight in Paris to qualify for the semifinals of Roland Garros, the second ‘Grand Slam’ of the season, against the world number one, Novak Djokovic, whom he defeated in an epic match that exceeded four hours of duration (6-2, 4-6, 6-2 and 7-6(4)).
Everything was against him for the Balearic tennis player, but it was in the difficulty where he found his strength. Nadal raised two set points in the fourth round, chained three consecutive games, desperate Djokovic and ended up sealing his umpteenth masterpiece in his fetish tournament. A victory that tastes special for the opponent.
Before the Serbian he said goodbye last year, in the semifinals, and this year Nadal warned a day before facing -possibly- his “last game” at Roland Garros. The pain in his left foot that will prevent him from continuing “for a long time” were not an impediment on Tuesday to put his signature to a new duel to remember.
The match was very close to the final in Australia in 2012, full of magic points, impossible shots and a dedicated audience at the Philippe Chatrier night session. It mattered little to the Manacorí not to play at his preferred time, nor to be in his best form. Nothing matters when Nadal plays at Roland Garros.
The Spaniard started impressively and broke Djokovic’s serve at the first change. The one from Belgrade was left unsettled by the aggressiveness of his rival, very effective from the baseline and brilliant in decisive moments. Everything came out for a Nadal who closed the first set with a fairly comfortable 6-2 with his service.
Djokovic -with the public against him- did not lose his composure at any time, but he did pay dearly for the inactivity this season despite his good performance on the ground. The reigning champion in Rome was able to stop the momentum of Rafa, who had achieved two consecutive ‘breaks’. That 3-0 did not matter to the Balkan, who took the caste minutes later.
‘Nole’ was unleashed with four games in a row, found the point to his right and matched a match where all the scripts began to jump through the air. Nothing was written on a night that went further despite the fatigue of its gladiators. The Spaniard responded fiercely, it was his turn and the game was back in his favor after a spectacular 6-2.
Nadal’s tenth victory against Djokovic at Roland Garros was closer but it was not easy, let alone thinking that the fourth set would end up in the hands of the Majorcan player. The one from Belgrade went 5-2 with authentic hammer blows from the middle of the court and seemed to leave a Nadal who never left the match touched.
The world number one had set ball twice but Carlos Moyà’s pupil saved both in an incredible way. Djokovic faded away and only Nadal believed in a comeback that came true in the final tiebreaker after leaving his rival shivering.
A superhuman effort added to the faith of the Spanish tennis player, whose current number five as seed in Paris does not correspond to the history of his curriculum in the French arena. His next appointment will be this Friday against the German Alexander Zverev in search of the final and his fourteenth Musketeers Cup.