Nadal shuts out Madrid slayer Zverev
Spaniard will next play Opelka in the latter’s first Masters semi-final
Nine-time champion Rafael Nadal dispatched his Madrid Masters slayer Alexander Zverev 6-3, 6-4 to reach the Italian Open semi-finals yesterday.
Second-seed Nadal lost to Zverev in the Madrid last-eight last week, but ended his threematch losing streak against the German in the Foro Italico.
“It was an important victory for me against a great player,” said the Spaniard.
The 34-year-old shook off his marathon 3hr 30min quarter-final battle past Denis Shapovalov on Thursday where he needed to save two match points.
Nadal powered to 4-0 before sixth seed Zverev held serve with the 20-time Grand Slam winner saving break point to take the first set.
The German rallied in the second set but Nadal saved eight break points to seal victory on his first match point after two hours.
Nadal next plays big-serving American Reilly Opelka for a place in the final for an 11th time as he warms up for the French Open starting on May 30.
Opelka, ranked 47, reached his first Masters semi-final with a 7-5, 7-6 (2) win over Argentine qualifier Federico Delbonis.
“It’s a big challenge against a player who’s playing well and has almost an unreturnable serve,” Nadal said of Opelka who has not dropped a set all week.
“I’ve served well especially at big moments, that’s been key, I stayed calm,” said Opelka, who has hit nearly 80 aces this week.
“I’ve made some adjustments on my serve recently and it has paid off.”
Nadal is two wins away from equalling Novak Djokovic’s record of 36 ATP Masters 1000 titles.
He is also attempting to win 10 or more titles at a single event for the fourth time, after Roland Garros (13), Barcelona (12) and Monte Carlo (11).
Zverev, 24, had been on a seven-match winning streak, following his second title run in Madrid last week.
Opelka provided a boost for US men’s tennis yesterday, booking his first Masters semifinal berth.
The success of the 23-yearold from Michigan comes on a week when no American men have featured in the Top 30 since the ATP rankings’ introduction in 1973.
Taylor Fritz, ranked 31, is the top US player in the world, followed by John Isner, 34th, and Opelka, 47th.
“The only reason there is not (an American in the Top 30) is because Isner has taken some time off, given the circumstances with his family and not being able to travel with all of his family,” said Opelka. “He has a wife and two little kids. It’s hard.
“If he’s travelling, we have a guaranteed not only top 30, guaranteed top 20. But, I mean, it’s a weird year.”
Opelka, who has won two ATP titles — both on hard court, dismissed all the “negative” talk about rankings.
“It is what it is. We will be there. I’m not worried,” he said. “But me, Tommy, Frances (Tiafoe), Fritz, we are all super tight, we all work hard. We respect the ones that support us unconditionally, you know. That’s how we support each other.”