Nadal withstands 5-setter, stomach issues to make Australian Open semis
Melbourne, Australia, Jan 25 (EFE).- Rafael Nadal resisted a comeback from Denis Shapovalov to make the Australian Open semifinals after a grueling five-set epic.
The Spaniard, seeded sixth, won 6-3, 6-4, 4-6, 3-6, 6-3 to set up a clash with either Gael Monfils or Matteo Berrettini.
“I was completely destroyed after that,” Nadal said following his victory against Canadian Shapovalov, 14th seed.
“I was a little bit lucky at the beginning of the fifth, at the beginning of the match I was playing great, but I know how difficult it is to play against a player like Denis,” the 20-time Grand Slam champion added.
“For me it is amazing, honestly, to be in the semifinals.”
Nadal also withstood an upset stomach during play, for which he needed brief medical attention in the locker room, he said following the match.
Shapovalov was not pleased with the development, and complained to umpire Carlos Bernardes and Nadal.
Nadal will appear in his 36th Grand Slam semifinal later this week, closing the gap with Novak Djokovic’s 42 appearances and Roger Federer’s 46. EFE
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