Shapovalov claims Nadal gets preferential treatment

Spaniard beats Canadian at Australian Open

MELBOURNE, Australia — An ailing Rafael Nadal battled to a five-set victory over Canadian Denis Shapovalov in a dramatic Australian Open quarter-final on Tuesday — and was then accused by his opponent of receiving preferential treatment.

Shapovalov became involved in a dispute with umpire Carlos Bernardes at the start of the second set of his 6-3, 6-4, 4-6, 3-6, 6-3 defeat over the amount of time Nadal was taking to get ready to receive serve.

After Bernardes refused to give Nadal a time violation, the 22-year-old shouted: “You guys are all corrupt,” and he and Nadal then exchanged words at the net about the matter.

Shapovalov is far from the first opponent to complain about Nadal’s time-keeping, but he went further in the press conference room, alleging that the 20-time Grand Slam champion is given an unfair advantage by officials.

“I think I misspoke when I said he’s corrupt,” explained Shapovalov. “It’s definitely emotional but I do stand by my side. I think it’s unfair how much Rafa is getting away with.

“I’m completely ready to play and the clock is ticking, clicking towards zero, and I’m looking at the umpire and obviously I’m going to speak up and say something.

“I’ve been ready to play for a minute and a half and he tells me he’s not going to give him a code violation because I’m not ready to play. To me, it’s a big joke.”

Asked if he feels Nadal receives preferential treatment, Shapovalov said: “Of course. One-hundred percent he does.”

Nadal gave a forceful response denying Shapovalov’s accusations, saying: “I really believe that it’s always in the mind that the top players get bigger advantages and, honestly, on court it’s not true.”

The row overshadowed a compelling match and a huge achievement for Nadal, who doubted last year whether he would be able to come back from a foot problem and is now through to his 36th Grand Slam semifinal.

The Spaniard lost from two sets up against Stefanos Tsitsipas at the same stage last year and it appeared the same may well happen when Shapovalov, who defeated third seed Alexander Zverev in the fourth round, forced a decider.

But Nadal, who had called the trainer for a stomach issue during the fourth set, made his experience count to move ahead early in the fifth and hold on.

The 35-year-old now has two days off to try to recover physically before his semifinal against seventh seed Matteo Berrettini, who won his own fivesetter against Gael Monfils to become the first Italian man to reach the last four in Melbourne.