After conceding the first two sets to Rafael Nadal, Denis Shapovalov came back strong to win the next two and force a final set, but the legendary Mallorcan held on to save himself with the 6-3, 6 win. -4, 4-6, 3-6 and 6-3 and reach the Australian Open semi-final.
Sixth-seeded Nadal seemed in full control early in the game, putting a lot of pressure on the young Canadian. For his part, Shapovalov, 14th seed, seemed unresponsive to the veteran’s heavy and precise strikes.
Except that the tide turned in the third set and now Shapovalov gave the impression of having found the flaw in the arsenal of his opponent who seemed at times to be annoyed by various physical discomforts. Multiplying the rises to the net, Shapovalov removes the following sets to create equality.
Like the duel as a whole, it was Nadal who took a 3-0 lead in the final round by breaking Shapovalov from the start. But this time there will be no comeback and Rafa puts an end to the marathon of more than four hours of play.
Shapovalov had 20 aces and only five double faults, while Nadal had eight aces and 11 double faults.
It was in the chapter of unprovoked errors that the young Ontarian got into trouble. He committed 51 against 28 for Nadal.
In the semi-final Nadal will face the winner of the duel between the French Gaël Monfils and the Italian Matteo Berrettini.
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