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  • Australian Open: Rafa Nadal Battles Through Injury Against Denis Shapovalov To Reach Semi Finals

Australian Open: Rafa Nadal battles through injury against Denis Shapovalov to reach semi-finals

The Spaniard raced to a lead but looked as though it could slip through his fingers after he paused with an abdominal injury in the fourth set.

Rafael Nadal reached the Australian Open semi-finals for the seventh time in his career on Tuesday morning.

The 35-year-old got the better of Canada's Denis Shapovalov over five sets to progress, although it momentarily looked as though he may have to withdraw.

Nadal raced to a 2-0 lead, but Shapovalov fought back to level the tie and force a decider, and the 20-time Grand Slam winner paused to call for a trainer for an abdominal injury in the fourth set.

In last year's tournament, Nadal again took a 2-0 lead against Stefanos Tsitsipas in the quarter-finals, but ended up losing. This time, the Spaniard's experience shone through.
He overcame his injury and quickly stamped his authority on the fifth set, eventually going on to seal a 6-3 6-4 4-6 3-6 6-3 victory.

Nadal is the first in the men's bracket to reach this year's semi-finals, with the remaining quarter-final matches taking place today or on Wednesday.

Shapovalov appeared to lash out at the umpire midway through Tuesday morning's match, exclaiming "you are all corrupt", after the clock was started but Nadal appeared unready to play.

It occurred in the second set, with Shapovalov unhappy about Nadal's alleged time-wasting.

As for Nadal, the Spaniard said the five-set thriller "completely destroyed" him physically.
"I was completely destroyed," said Nadal.
"A very tough day, very warm. Honestly I didn't practice for it. I was a little bit lucky at the beginning of the fifth.
"I started to feel not very well in my stomach so I just asked if they can do something.
"We went inside and they take the tension and checked that everything was alright on my body, and then I took some tablets. I was lucky that I was serving great in the fifth."
Nadal said he has surprised himself by his ability to fight through a number of tough matches to reach his first Australian Open semi-final since 2019.
"Two months ago we didn't know if we could be back on tour at all," he said. "It's a present of life that I'm here playing tennis again."
Now in the semi-finals, Nadal will take on the winner of Gael Monfils vs Matteo Berrettini for a spot in the final.

READ MORE: Australian Open: Stefanos Tsitsipas reaches quarter-finals following gruelling five-set battle

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