Rafael Nadal for the twelfth time in the semi-finals of the French Open
Defending champion and record winner Rafael Nadal is in the semi-finals of the French Open for the twelfth time after a demonstration of power.
by SID
last edit: Jun 04, 2019, 07:03 pm
One day after his 33rd birthday, the clay court king gave the Japanese Kei Nishikori no chance in the quarterfinals at 6: 1, 6: 1, 6: 3, the Spaniard converted his first match ball after only 1:51 hours. In the round of four, Nadal either meets his Swiss rival Roger Federer.
The Mallorcan continues to strive towards his twelfth title on the red ashes of Paris in an impressive manner. In the course of the tournament Nadal had to give up one set (in the third round against David Goffin / Belgium).
Nishikori struck
The quarter-finals on Tuesday afternoon in Philippe Chatrier's main square were one-way from the start. Nadal took Nishikori's first serve straight away, breaking the Japanese seven times overall. The world ranked seventh Nishikori could hardly counter Nadal's powerful and highly concentrated game.
# BETATHOMEFO #
There were also physical problems with the Japanese. Before the start of the third set, Nishikori took a medical timeout and received treatment on his right shoulder, and shortly afterwards he had to use the physiotherapist twice again because of pain in the blow arm before the game due to a thunderstorm at 2: 4 in the third set was interrupted for around 70 minutes. Nadal was not deterred by this either, after less than two hours Nishikori hit a forehand ball out.