Rafael Nadal makes a MIRACLE comeback by beating Taylor Fritz in five sets at Center Court after struggling with an injury when he was two sets behind… with the Spanish legend setting up a ravishing Wimbledon semi-final against Nick Kyrgios
- Rafael Nadal competed in Wimbledon semifinal after beating Taylor Fritz
- Nadal visibly struggled with a abdominal injury, but triumphed over five sets
- He took a 3-6, 7-5, 3-6, 7-5, 7-6 (4) win and will face Nick Kyrgios in the final four.
- The win kept hopes alive to win all four Grand Slams in the same season
An ailing Rafael Nadal conjured up one of his more extraordinary grand slam victories by surviving a five-set battle with Taylor Fritz to reach the Wimbledon semi-finals.
It was American Fritz who stopped Nadal’s winning start to the season at 20 games in the Indian Wells final in March, when the Spaniard was hampered by a broken rib, and it seemed like history was repeating itself.
Nadal seemed poised to back down at several points after seeking treatment for a tummy problem, but instead dug in like only he can to get a 3-6 7-5 3-6 7-5 7- 6(4) to secure victory and keep his hopes alive to become the first man since Rod Laver in 1969 to win all four Grand Slam titles in the same season.
Rafael Nadal has reached Wimbledon semi-final after beating Taylor Fritz despite injury
Nadal, a two-time winner at SW19, visibly struggled with stomach issues during the clash
Then comes a ravishing last-four clash against Nick Kyrgios, but the big question remains whether Nadal’s body is really able to withstand two more games.
On paper, Nadal’s fourth-lap victory over Botic van de Zandschulp would have been easy, but tape was visible on the Spaniard’s belly.
Refusing to discuss the issue afterwards, Nadal looked good against Fritz at first, broke service in the first game and eased to a 3-1 lead.
From then on, however, the American really began to threaten the service of the second seed, and a run of five games in a row brought him into the opening set.
The legend received treatment during a medical timeout, but rallied to take a final four place
Fritz, who hadn’t dropped a set in the tournament before facing Nadal, won the opening set
Nadal reacted well and broke the serve to start the second set, but the pattern repeated when Fritz returned, with his opponent’s serving speeds significantly slower.
A remorseful look came on the 36-year-old’s face as he spoke to the trainer after battling to hold the serve and maintain a 4-3 lead, and he went off the field for a lengthy medical time-out.
Nadal’s father Sebastian, who watched from his box, appeared to gesture his son to stop, but he fought on and showed his ability to dig deep by winning the second set.
However, hopes of a miraculous recovery faded during the third set, which ended with Nadal sitting in his seat and shaking his head in the direction of his box.
Nadal appeared on the ropes at Center Court but later made another stunning comeback
The Spaniard took the match to a tie-break and won 10-4 to set up a clash with Nick Kyrgios
Fritz glanced at his opponent, waiting for the handshake, but it never came, and Nadal went back to the pit to push forward early in the fourth set.
The American knew the game was up for grabs, but putting Nadal away was a different story.
He pulled back, leading 5-4 only to Nadal to get his forehand going and claim three games in a row to force an unlikely decider.
Fritz was a model of frustration, which only increased as Nadal broke through to take a 4-3 lead, but the Spaniard still struggled to find dominance on the serve and came right back to his opponent.
Nadal grabbed the decisive tiebreak by taking the first five points and although Fritz briefly threatened a comeback, he couldn’t deny the remarkable Spaniard as he took the win after four hours and 20 minutes.
After sealing his win in style, the 36-year-old captured the admiration of the spectators