Australian Open: Rafael Nadal disenchants Frances Tiafoe and is in the semi-finals
The Spanish French Open record winner in the 6: 3, 6: 4, 6: 2 against the American Tiafoe raised no doubt about his favorite role and is only two wins away from a special success.
by Ulrike Weinrich from Melbourne
last edit: Jan 22, 2019, 01:04 pm
Should Nadal win his second Melbourne title after 2009 next weekend, he would be the first player in the Open Era to win each of the four majors at least twice.
In the final round on Thursday, the Mallorcan first met Federer-conqueror Stefanos Tsitsipas (No. 14), who eliminated Nadal's compatriot Roberto Bautista Agut (No. 22) in four sets on Tuesday. "Rafa" has not yet delivered a set in his five games at this year's "Happy Slam" and leads in the "Head-to-Head" against the Greek crowd favorite Tsitsipas 2-0.
In his first duel with Tiafoe at all, the world number two always had a firm grip on the trade. He was warned, because on the way to his first major quarterfinals, the 21-year-old challenger, one from NextGen, had seeded Kevin Anderson (South Africa / No. 5) and most recently Grigor Dimitrov (Bulgaria / No. 20) defeated.
"Ten years ago I promised my parents that I would become a professional and that this would change their lives and my lives," Frances Tiafoe
After his biggest success so far, "Big Foe", who is a fan of basketball star LeBron James (Los Angeles Lakers), said in tears on the court: "I promised my parents ten years ago that I would become a professional and thus their lives and change my life. Now I'm here. I can’t believe it all. " Frances Senior and Alphina emigrated from Sierra Leone to the United States in 1996.
Nadal used his first breakball in front of 15,000 spectators in the sold-out Rod Laver Arena. After two of his own service games, he already had three aces.
Tiafoe resisted the pressure of the 32-year-old two days after his birthday, but the first set ball in the night session was significant: "Rafa" drove the American from left to right, back and forth - before he struggled after exactly half Hour with the forehand winner got the opening round.
Nadal then changed his wet yellow shirt in the catacombs, which he will again be wearing sleeveless in the 2019 season. Tiafoe's hope for a different distribution of powers was shaken early on. Nadal again took the service from the Orlando power player.
A little later, Tiafoe was unable to use his only two breakballs when the score was 1: 2. And missed chances are usually punished particularly hard in duels with the superstars of the scene.
In any case, on a pleasant Australian summer evening (27 degrees Celsius), Nadal confidently continued to scroll down his program - in the style of a 17-time Grand Slam champion.
He also had an early break in the third round against Tiafoe, who played the forehand so strangely and without a loop, and after 1:47 hours, Nadal converted his first match point.
His girlfriend Xisca Perello also cheered in his box, who only accompanied him to the Australian Open for the second time.