via Reuters
Tennis – Australian Open – Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia – January 21, 2022 Spain’s Rafael Nadal celebrates winning his third round match against Russia’s Karen Khachanov REUTERS/Morgan Sette
via Reuters
Tennis – Australian Open – Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia – January 21, 2022 Spain’s Rafael Nadal celebrates winning his third round match against Russia’s Karen Khachanov REUTERS/Morgan Sette
Today, the tennis world saw one of the best matches of the 2022 Australian Open between Rafael Nadal and Denis Shapovalov. The quarter-final match between those two had plenty of ups and downs with lots of dramas. In the end, the 20-time Grand Slam winner prevailed after a terrific fightback from Denis.
via Reuters
Tennis – Australian Open – Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia – January 25, 2022 Spain’s Rafael Nadal speaks to Canada’s Denis Shapovalov during the quarter final match REUTERS/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake
Rafael Nadal had a stomach issue during the match
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The match had plenty of drama, as the 22-year-old Canadian had a war of words with the chair umpire, Carlos Bernardes, after the first set. Denis was visibly upset with Rafael Nadal, taking too much time between points. “He just takes so long, I was ready to serve,” Shapovalov angrily said to the chair umpire.
Shapovalov not happy with how much Nadal is slowing him down. "He just takes so long, I was ready to serve"
Tells Bernardes to give Nadal some warning.
— José Morgado (@josemorgado) January 25, 2022
Meanwhile, Nadal didn’t lose his focus and took a two-set lead after this debacle. However, Shapovalov made a sensational comeback in the game by winning two back-to-back sets to force a fifth set.
In the end, Nadal won the match by 6-3,6-4,4-6,3-6,6-3 after 4 hours and 8 minutes of outstanding tennis.
However, Rafa revealed one interesting fact after the match: he had a stomach ache before the beginning of the fifth set. He had to call a doctor on the court and go inside for medical assistance.
Watch This Story: Fans go berserk over Rafael Nadal’s thinning hair at the Australian Open 2022
Thereafter, he felt good as his game also improved quite well to clinch the fifth and deciding set against Shapovalov by 6-3. When Jim Courier asked Nadal if the medication helped him in the fifth set or not, Rafa said, “So, so,… I was lucky that I was serving great in the 5th set.”
Can Nadal win the Australian Open?
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After beating Shapovalov in five sets, Nadal will definitely gain more confidence for his semi-final match. The Spaniard will face either Matteo Berrettini or Gael Monfils, who will play later today.
via Reuters
Tennis – Australian Open – Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia – January 23, 2022 Spain’s Rafael Nadal celebrates winning his fourth round match against France’s Adrian Mannarino REUTERS/Morgan Sette
Rafa has a great chance to win this year’s Australian Open, given his form and the absence of defending champion, Novak Djokovic. Notably, the Spaniard will surpass Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic if he achieves this feat in Australia. Thus, he will become the highest ever Grand Slam singles title winner ever.
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Can Rafa win the Australian Open? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
Read More: Rafael Nadal Changes His Routine Against Denis Shapovalov at the Australian Open 2022
