He still could barely walk, but he won! The Spaniard in the AO semi-final after a big game

The first two sets did not indicate that the 20-time Grand Slam winner had any major problems with the young Canadian. In the first game, the Spaniard won his passes very confidently, not allowing Shapoval to even have a chance for a break point. On the other hand, he broke his opponent in the fourth game and did not give this advantage to the end. The first set ended with Nadal winning 6: 3. The course of the second set was similar. Again, Shapovalov had no chance of breaking, while Nadal won one game at the Canadian’s serve and won again 6-3.

The picture of the game changed in set three. This time the Canadian had a chance to break in the sixth game, but Nadal saved two breaches. The game was close and it seemed that the tie-break could decide everything. In the decisive moment, with the score 5: 4 for Shapovalov, Nadal served and it was then that the Canadian scored his first break in this match, winning 6: 4. In the fourth game he also managed to win the game on Nadal’s side, but this time he did it faster, with his 2: 1 lead. The Canadian did not let go of the lead, although at 5: 3 he had to save two balls for the break. However, he succeeded in this art. He won the fourth set 6: 3.

Rafael Nadal had to take medication. Then he got up and advanced to the Australian Open semi-finals

The Spaniard in two lost sets looked much worse than at the beginning of the match. You could see a decrease in energy and a greater number of mistakes made. As it turned out, it was most likely the result of health problems. He still sought medical attention for his stomach ache. Had to take painkillers.

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Another twist took place in the fifth game. He still got medical attention again, and that was probably the right decision. The Spanish tennis player quickly took the lead 3-0, although in the third game he had to defend two break points. However, he managed to put his rival against the wall. Still, despite his health problems, he showed great class and after more than four hours spent on the court, he won the fifth set 6: 3 and the entire match 6: 3, 6: 4, 3: 6, 3: 6, 6: 3.

Rafael Nadal became the first semi-finalist of this year’s Australian Open. In the match for the final, he will face Gael Monfils or Matteo Berrettini. He still made his last appearance in the 2019 Australian Open Final. He then lost to Novak Djokovic. He has only triumphed in Melbourne once – in 2009

For Shapovalov, it is the best Australian Open performance in his career. So far in Australia he has reached the third round furthest. This year he ended his adventure in the quarter-finals by defeating one of the main favorites – Alexander Zverev.