Wimbledon: Rafael Nadal turns match against Fritz - in the semifinals now against Kyrgios!
Rafael Nadal has reached the semi-finals at Wimbledon. In a very exciting match, he beat the eleventh seeded American Taylor Fritz 3:6, 7:5, 3:6, 7:5 and 7:6 (4).
by Florian Goosmann
last edit: Jul 06, 2022, 08:39 pm
Rafael Nadal is again in the semi-finals of Wimbledon, and that after a great effort: due to injury - and because there was a strong opponent on the other side with Taylor Fritz!
Nadal gave up an early break in each of the first two sets, and in the second set at the latest it became clear that he was having problems with the serve: Nadal had recently been bandaged on the lower right stomach area, but didn't want to go any further in the last press conference talk about his physical problems (most recently his problem with his left foot had been a topic again and again).
He eventually took a break from injury, but continued to serve slower in sentences, only picking up the pace a bit towards the end of the match. In the rallies, however, he seemed fully there; Fritz, however, too - he was also taped on his right thigh. But Fritz scored well, as might be expected - he had won the Masters tournament in Indian Wells in the spring and most recently in Eastbourne (on grass).
SkyWimbledon2022Article
Rafael Nadal turns 1: 2 set deficit
It was a great game with long, sometimes spectacular rallies, Nadal kept unpacking the stop, Fritz mostly went over his flat groundstrokes. Both exchanged 15 breaks, Nadal was also in the lead in the fourth set, but then had to do the lap of honor and, to the delight of the spectators on the packed Center Court, managed to equalize the set. There he got the 4:3 after a long service game from Fritz, but gave his serve back immediately.
In the match tie-break, Nadal pulled away 5-0 with great concentration, and even if Fritz threw everything in again - including himself when Nadal stopped - he brought this lead to the finish in the end.
So now it's time for Nick Kyrgios: He was 6: 4, 6: 3, 7: 6 (5) against Cristian Garin after an early break deficit. "I never thought I would be in a Grand Slam semi-final," he said on the pitch.
Nadal: 'Thought I might not be able to finish the match'
For Nadal, the dream of a third Wimbledon victory lives on, he won the tournament in 2008 and 2010.
Thanks to his two major victories at the Australian Open and French Open this year, he also has a chance at the Grand Slam.
"I enjoy playing matches like this so much," said Nadal, "it was a great afternoon against a great player. My respects to Taylor."
The body is generally fine, said Nadal, just not in the abdominal muscle area. "I have to serve something different. But I also thought at the time that I might not be able to finish the match."
He hopes to be able to play against Kyrgios.
Here you can read the match in the live ticker!
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