Aussie Demon destroys Nadal
A spot of Real revenge to end City’s reign
Rafael Nadal suffered his first defeat on his return to tennis after injury as he fell 7-5, 6-1 to Australia’s Alex de Minaur in the Barcelona Open second round.
The 22-time grand slam title winner, back on court this week after three months on the sidelines, battled well but eventually crumbled against the hard-working world number 11.
Nadal, 37, who missed virtually all of the 2023 season, is hoping to compete at the French Open in May where he is the record 14-time champion.
“On a personal level, for what is to come, the 6-1 in the second set is what had to happen today,” said Nadal, who explained that he did not want to push himself too far.
“That’s the way I need to proceed today, to give me a chance to compete at Roland Garros,” he added.
“I’ll try to take a step further in Madrid, then in Rome, and if, in any tournament it’s worth going out there to give everything and die, it’s in Paris.”
The Spaniard, who has won the Barcelona clay court title on 12 occasions, had eased past Flavio Cobolli on Tuesday in his first ATP Tour match since January.
De Minaur proved a far tougher challenge and despite showing flashes of his supreme quality on the court named after him, Nadal came up short in what he said he believes is his final appearance at the tournament.
“I had the chance to say goodbye here on court and that means a lot for me,” the Spaniard said.
“A week ago I felt I was not able to play any more at this event, that would be painful, but at least I played and now it’s the moment to keep going.”
Real Madrid exacted revenge on Manchester City to reach the Champions League semi-finals 4-3 on penalties after withstanding a barrage at the Etihad.
Rodrygo gave the visitors an early lead before Kevin De Bruyne hit back for the holders to leave the match level at 1-1 on the night and 4-4 on aggregate.
However, City’s defence of the competition came to an end after Bernardo Silva and Mateo Kovacic saw spotkicks saved by Madrid’s unlikely hero Andriy Lunin.
The Ukrainian, who has deputised this season for the injured Thibaut Courtois, had been at fault for City’s early opener in the first leg but more than made amends.
Madrid will face Bayern Munich in the last four after the German giants beat Arsenal 3-2 on aggregate.
The holders were held at bay by a heroic defensive effort by the 14-time European champion, despite having 34 attempts on goal.
“It’s so difficult. They are continuously probing with the ball and move you around. Most teams would fall apart when City get on top of you but we stood up really well,” said Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham (inset). “Today it came down to mentality.”
Madrid was blown away by an early City blitz in a 4-0 defeat at the Etihad 11 months ago as Pep Guardiola’s men went on to win the competition for the first time. City also edged a semi-final first leg thriller 43 on home soil two years ago only to be stunned by a late Madrid fightback in the return leg.
“In other sports for the stats we would win but football is like this and it’s marvellous,” Guardiola said.
“I don’t have any regrets.”