Nadal limps out to hand Cilic SF slot
Mertens and Edmund pull off upset victories
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 semi-finals.
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.
She will play second seeded Dane Caroline Wozniacki or veteran Spaniard Carla Suarez Navarro for a place in Saturday’s final.
Little separated Nadal and big-hitting Cilic until the injury struck, as they traded ferocious groundstrokes in an intense battle.
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 was an unbelievable performance from both us. It is really unfortunate for Rafa to finish this way,” said Croat Cilic, the sixth seed.
“When you are wounded, sometimes the balls are going in, you are a little bit looser, so I was really paying attention to these first couple of games, just try to keep my intensity up.
“Overall I had a lot of chances there to break and somehow just Rafa was coming with some good serves, good shots in critical moments.
“That’s the way he has always been, always finding the way, even if he is not playing at his best level.”
Nadal said: “Tough moments. I’m a positive person, but today is an opportunity lost to be in a semi-final for a Grand Slam and fight for an important title for me. It’s really tough to accept.
“I worked hard to be here,’’ said Nadal, who skipped tournaments in Abu Dhabi and Brisbane, while his knee recovered at the start of the season.
“We did all the things that we believed were the right things to do.’’
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 semi-finals in the post-1968 Open Era.
“It’s an amazing feeling. I’m very happy,” said the overwhelmed 23-yearold, ranked 49.
“It was a hard match and I’m really trying to enjoy the moment. It was my first match on Rod Laver Arena and it’s very special.”
He is the only British man in the draw after Andy Murray’s injury withdrawal before the tournament, raising the prospect that it will be him, rather than the Scot, who breaks through to win in Australia.
Murray has been a five-time finalist, but lost them all.
World No.37 Mertens is on a hot streak of form, unbeaten in 10 matches after winning in Hobart this month.
She was too physical for Svitolina as she stormed into the semis, incredibly on her Australian Open debut.
“It’s amazing. I mean, it was not expected, especially today. Really tough match,” said the Belgian.
“But I was in the zone today. If you believe in yourself, then anything can happen. But of course semis is ‘Wow’.”
RESULTS Men’s singles
Quarter-finals
Marin Cilic (CRO x6) bt Rafael Nadal (ESP x1) 3-6, 6-3, 6-7 (5/7), 6-2, 2-0 ret
Kyle Edmund (GBR) bt Grigor Dimitrov (BUL x3) 6-4, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4
Women’s singles
Quarter-finals
Elise Mertens (BEL) bt Elina Svitolina (UKR x4) 6-4, 6-0
Order of play
(Play begins at 7am Thai time) Angelique Kerber (GER x21) v Madison Keys (USA x17) Not before 9am
Tennys Sandgren (USA) v Chung Hyeon (KOR)
Not before 11am
Simona Halep (ROM x1) v Karolina Pliskova (CZE x6) Not before 3.30pm
Tomas Berdych (CZE x19) v Roger Federer (SUI x2)