Nadal’s injury bogey lays him low again

Melbourne – Rafael Nadal’s drive towards a second Australian Open title came to a shuddering injury-induced halt yesterday on a day of upsets that saw unseeded Kyle Edmund and Elise Mertens make the semifinals.

The world No 1 retired against Marin Cilic after an upper right leg problem began troubling him the fourth set on Rod Laver Arena, with the Spaniard wincing in pain and limping as he struggled to continue.

His 3-6, 6-3, 6-7 (5/7), 6-2, 2-0 exit set up a last-four clash for the former US Open champion against Britain’s Edmund, who stunned third seed Grigor Dimitrov 6-4, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4.

Mertens, who is yet to drop a set, was equally convincing in blasting past world No 4 Elina Svitolina 6-4, 6-0 to become the first Belgian to make the semis since Kim Clijsters in 2012.

Little separated Nadal and big-hitting Cilic until the injury struck, as they traded ferocious groundstrokes.

But the Spaniard, who was beaten in last year’s final by Roger Federer, called the physio at 1-4 in the fourth set and again at the changeover when two sets apiece and the writing was on the wall.

It is the second time he has been forced to pull out with injury in Melbourne after calling it quits in the third set of his 2010 quarterfinal against Andy Murray with a knee problem. The look on Nadal’s face said it all as he came to terms with missing a big opportunity to go after his 17th Grand Slam title after looking impressive in his early round matches.

“It’s not the first time an opportunity has gone for me,” said Nadal. “Yeah, just have to accept, recover, go back home, stay with my people and keep going. That’s all.”

Nadal’s retirement follows the departure on Monday of Novak Djokovic, with his immediate playing future uncertain after an elbow injury flared. He also appeared to have a hip problem.

There were no such troubles for Edmund against Dimitrov, as he became only the fourth British man to reach the Australian Open semifinals in the post-1968 Open Era. –