Tiger inspires Rafa to roar on
THE watching Tiger Woods could scarcely contain his excitement as Rafael Nadal moved ominously towards yet another Grand Slam final. The golf legend leapt to his feet like an excited teenager as the Spaniard hit a wondrous shot around the net post in the course of beating Marin Cilic in four sets to reach the quarter-finals of the US Open. Woods and Nadal — who is close to being a scratch golfer — have formed a mutual admiration society over the years. ‘To have him supporting me and to be in touch with him very often is something I am super happy about,’ said Nadal. ‘I hope one day we can play golf and tennis together.’ While there are no free passes at this stage of Grand Slams, the 33-year-old could hardly ask for a clearer path towards Sunday’s final, and he now plays diminutive Argentine Diego Schwartzman. He has taken the mantle of favourite since Novak Djokovic withdrew when he was two sets down in the fourth round against Stan Wawrinka. While Nadal views Djokovic with respect rather than any great fondness, he was critical of the way the Serb was booed off the court. ‘For him, it is much more painful than for anyone in that Arthur Ashe Stadium,’ said Nadal. ‘He missed an opportunity to win another Grand Slam, playing on one of his best surfaces, coming after winning Wimbledon. It was a good opportunity for him.’ If Nadal can get past Schwartzman, he will meet the winner of the other quarter-final in his half, mercurial Frenchman Gael Monfils or the fast-rising Italian Matteo Berrettini. The 23-year-old from Rome is in the vanguard of a recent surge among Italian male players, but Monfils tends to perform better at this event than at any other Slam. The US Open’s pantomime villain Daniil Medvedev will rise to world No 4 after he made the semi-finals last night with another impressive display, beating Wawrinka 7-6, 6-3, 3-6, 6-1. The 6ft 6in Russian, who has been winding up the crowds since he arrived, was subjected to more playful boos following his win. ‘I try to be myself. Sorry guys and thanks,’ he told spectators.