An ailing Rafael Nadal has survived a five-set Australian Open scare from Next-Gen ace Denis Shapovalov to continue one of world sport’s most remarkable streaks.
The Spanish legend’s 6-3 6-4 4-6 3-6 6-3 win ensured at least one of the Big Three has made the last four for the 70th time in the past 71 grand slam events.
The only time it did not happen since 2004 came at the 2020 US Open when Nadal and Roger Federer weren’t playing and Novak Djokovic was defaulted in the fourth round for recklessly hitting a ball that struck a lineswoman.
“We can create histories … but the real truth is that two months ago we didn’t know if we will be able to be back on Tour at all,” Nadal said, having missed most of 2021 with a crippling foot injury.
“So here I am. For me it’s just a present of life that I’m here playing tennis again.”
Tuesday’s victory, though, did not come easy as he dealt with stomach issues in the Melbourne heat and was in danger of bowing out at the quarter-final stage of the Open for the third consecutive year.
But once again the nigh-on indomitable 35-year-old was able to fend off a challenge from one of the leaders of the next generation to extend the Big Three’s unparalleled dominance of tennis.
“I was completely destroyed after that very warm day. I didn’t practice for it,” Nadal said.
“I started to feel not very well in my stomach so I just asked if they can do something.
“Everything was alright on my body but I took some tablets to try and improve the stomach problem I had.
“I think I was lucky I was serving great in the fifth (set).”
Nadal, who contracted COVID-19 in the lead-up the tournament, will return to action on Friday.
Bidding for a record 21st grand slam men’s singles crown, the 2009 Open champion will play Italian seventh seed Matteo Berrettini for a place in the final.
Without Federer and Djokovic at Melbourne Park, Nadal now has a golden opportunity to become men’s tennis’s all-time majors title leader.
The three greats are locked on 20 slams each.
But Berrettini has other ideas after his dramatic 6-4 6-4 3-6 3-6 6-2 win over French veteran Gael Monfils.
Berrettini was seemingly in control of his quarter-final, taking the opening two sets, before Monfils roared back to life in stunning fashion.
There was one more crucial momentum swing as Berrettini dug deep and grabbed a double break early in the final set, kicking on to complete a victory that put him in the final four of a grand slam for the third time.
The 25-year-old Wimbledon runner-up is the first Italian man to reach the Australian Open semi-finals and could be joined by countryman Jannik Sinner, who takes on Stefanos Tsitsipas in a quarter-final on Wednesday.
“It feels unbelievable and hopefully there’s going to be another one, but I’m really happy for myself,” Berrettini said.
“What a great fight again against Gael, great match, a lot of emotions.
“I thought I had it in the third and then I found myself in a fifth, but I really fought hard and put everything on the court.”
In an eerily similar path to this year’s run in Melbourne, Berrettini beat Monfils in a fifth set tiebreak at the 2019 US Open before meeting Nadal in a semi-final, which he lost.
© AAP
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