Rafael Nadal advanced to the semi-finals of the Bastad Open on Friday by defeating Argentina’s Mariano Navone 6-7 (2/7), 7-5, 7-5 in an intense match lasting three hours and 59 minutes. This victory marks the first time in two years, since Wimbledon, that the 22-time Grand Slam champion has reached the last four of a tournament. “It was very close, long and tiring,” said Nadal, noting that the match was the second longest three-set match of his career, following a 4-hour and 3-minute semi-final against Novak Djokovic in Madrid in 2009. “For moments he was in control. For moments I was in control. At the end, no one was in control. That’s the truth,” he added.
Nadal acknowledged the physical challenge of the match but expressed his determination: “I was able to hold physically till the end. Let’s see how I am tomorrow. Today I’m alive and I’m in the semi-finals. So that’s super important.”
Nadal had a tough start against Navone, who has rapidly risen to 36th in the world rankings after beginning the year outside the top 100. Nadal dropped serve three times in a row and trailed 4-1, facing a double break. However, he battled back, saving two set points in the 10th game before moving ahead 6-5. Navone pushed the first set to a tie-break and won it when Nadal hit a forehand wide.
In the second set, Nadal quickly took a 3-0 lead, but Navone responded by winning four consecutive games. Nadal then stopped Navone’s momentum, held his serve, and broke Navone to win the set 7-5, celebrating with a fist pump.
The third set saw Navone go up 2-0 before Nadal responded with five consecutive games. Although Navone managed to level the set at 5-5, Nadal broke again and secured the match when Navone hit a forehand into the net.
Nadal will next face Croatian qualifier Duje Ajdukovic, ranked 130th in the world, who reached the semi-finals by defeating Brazil’s Thiago Monteiro in three sets.
Nadal is using the Bastad Open as preparation for the Paris Olympics, where tennis will be played at Roland Garros. This week marked Nadal’s return to competition since his first-round loss at the French Open in late May. He is also competing in doubles with Casper Ruud and will play the doubles semi-final on Saturday after his singles match.
“It’s time to work on the recovery. Let’s see how I am tomorrow,” Nadal said.
