Rafael Nadal shone in the Parisian midnight to qualify for Roland Garros semi-finalssecond tournament Grand Slam of the 2022 season, after defeating in an epic match 6-2, 4-6, 6-2 and 7-6 (4) against Novak Djokovic, number one in the world and defending champion, a battle that exceeded four hours long.
Everything was against the Spanish tennis player, but it was in difficulty that he found his strength. Nadal saved two set points in the fourth round, chained three consecutive games, Djokovic despaired and ended up sealing his umpteenth masterpiece in his fetish tournament. A victory that tastes special for the opponent.
Against the Serbian he said goodbye last year, in the semifinals, and this year Nadal warned one day before facing -possibly- su “last game” at Roland Garros. The pain in his left foot that will prevent you from continuing “for a long time” they were not an impediment this 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 hits and a dedicated audience on the runway night session Philippe Chattier. It mattered little to the Balearic Islands not to play at his preferred time, nor to be in his best form. Nothing matters when Nadal plays at Roland Garros.
The Mallorcan started imposing and he 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 his service with a fairly comfortable 6-2.
Djokovic -with the public against- never lost his composurebut yes paid dearly for inactivity this season, despite good performance on land. The reigning champion in Rome was able to stop the momentum of Nadal, who had achieved two consecutive ‘breaks’. That 3-0 did not matter to the Balkan, who took the caste minutes later.
‘Nole’ broke out with four games in a rowfound the point to his right and equalized a meeting 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 Spanish responded fiercely, it was his turn and the partido was back in his favor after a spectacular 6-2.
Nadal’s tenth win against Djokovic at Roland Garros He was closer but it wasn’t easy, let alone thinking that the fourth set would end up in the hands of the Majorcan player. The one from Belgrade got 5-2 with authentic hammer blows from the middle of the track and seemed to touch a Nadal who never left the game.
The number one in the world had Set Ball Twice, but the pupil of Carlos Moya He saved both of them in an incredible way. Djokovic faded away and only Nadal believed in a comeback that became a reality 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 end and its fourteenth Cup of the Musketeers.
(With information from Europe Press)
Reference-aristeguinoticias.com
