Rafael Nadal defeats Denis Shapovalov 6-3, 6-4, 4-6, 3-6, 6-3 to advance to the semifinals of the Grand Slam for the 36th time. This is going to be the Spaniards 7th Grand Slam semifinal.
World No. Five struggled physically, apparently, some stomach issue in the fourth set but overcame to beat the Canadian that lasted for five sets.
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
Nadal has won 20 Grand Slam titles and is looking for the 21st that will make him record in holding the most. The 35-year-old is currently in a tie with Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic while both the players are not competing in the tournament.
The last time Nadal played the Australian Open final was against Roger Federer, the times they both were ranked 1st and 2nd respectively, in 2009 when he beat Swiss legend to clinch the Men’s Singles title. The only Grand Slam fifth-seeded player has won in Australia.
Next is Italian Matteo Berrettini who will be facing Gael Monfils of France to defend another semifinal place today at 2:45 pm IST at the Rod Laver Arena. There will be two more quarterfinals clashes scheduled for tomorrow where World No. Two Daniil Medvedev of Russia will face Canada’s Felix Auger-Aliassime at 2:00 pm IST and Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas will fight against Italian Jannik Sinner for the semis.
