Former champion Rafael Nadal has outlasted a tentative Milos Raonic 6-4, 7-6(7), 6-4, to progress to the semifinals of the Australian Open for the first time since 2014.
The encounter was a chance for the ninth seed to show the world that he is back to his best tennis on one of the biggest stages of the sport. Facing Wimbledon finalist Raonic, Nadal was also seeking revenge after losing his most recent match to the third seed earlier this month. The two factors combined promised to provide huge mental boost for the 30-year-old.
Shortly before his quarter-final showdown, Nadal made no secrets of his desire to play aggressively against Raonic. He even said that he ‘would be dead’ if he failed to do so. This mindset spurred him on to what was a dominant display during throughout the first set, featuring a winner-error ratio of 12-2. The former world No.1 found a method to break down Raonic’s dominant serve, a weapon that many on the tour fear of. Standing behind the baseline whilst the Canadian serves, Nadal allowed for the speed to slightly drop before returning the ball and engaging in rallies. This combination granted the Spaniard his sole break of the opening set as a double-handed backhand moved him 40-15 against his rival serve. He then broke with ease after a lob shot proved too problematic for Raonic as he closed out the first set with ease.
What a return from #Nadal! Looks so easy… pic.twitter.com/j3tVE5NlDl
— BreakPointBR (@BreakPointBR) 25 January 2017
Boasting the early lead, Nadal still endured a tough task in the match against a player who beat him earlier this month at the Brisbane International. As the momentum gather in his favour, he suffered an unexpected disruption at Raonic’s expense. With proceedings in the second set on serve during the early stages, the Canadian took a medical time-out. It was a peculiar decision. Prior to that, the third seed appeared to be moving around the court without visibly showing any signs of discomfort.
“I can’t push up on it anymore,” Raonic tells the trainer before leaving for an off-court medical timeout. Hip/upper leg issue? #AusOpen
— Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg) 25 January 2017
The seven-minute break failed to curb Nadal’s focus in the match as both players continued to engage in a close battle. The superiority of Nadal’s shot-making was being matched by Raonic’s unforgiven serve. With little to distinguish between both payers, Raonic had six separate opportunities to clinch the second set, but nerves struck as he failed to convert any. With the Canadian squandering all of his chances to get back into the match, Nadal landed a further blow by securing a two-sets lead with the help of an unforced error from his opponent.
Inflicting his power over an increasingly despondent Raonic, whose intensity in the match began to decline, it was once again at the most crucial point where Nadal prevailed. With the third set going according to serve, Raonic found himself tasked with serving to stay in the match. The task was one he couldn’t achieve due to the tenacity of Nadal’s play. Dictating the points by hitting the ball deep towards the baseline, an elegant drop-shot elevated the Spaniard to a trio of match points. The win was then sealed after Raonic made a failed volley at the net, prompting Nadal to fall on his knees in delight.
“I decided to go inside the court a little bit on the return. I knew there was going to be tough moments in the match against a player like him. He is one of the top servers on the tour and he’s very aggressive on the return.” Nadal said about his tactics used to beat Raonic.
“I had to be very aggressive and very concentrated with my serve. I think I did (that well).”
The run to the last four comes after Nadal endured a problematic 2016 season due to a wrist injury. He will now play in the semifinals of a major for the first time since 2014, an achievement that he was unsure would ever come true.
He’s BACK!
Rafa #Nadal through to the semis of the #AusOpen. pic.twitter.com/gFsez3oNqX
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) 25 January 2017
Two wins away from winning his first Australian Open title since 2009, Nadal will play Grigor Dimitrov in the semifinals.
