Nadal
set for semi-final showdown with Djokovic in Madrid
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[May 13, 2017]
MADRID (Reuters) - Rafa Nadal
set up an intriguing Madrid Open semi-final against Novak Djokovic
by overcoming Belgian David Goffin 7-6(3) 6-2 in a high-quality
last-eight match on Friday.
Nadal edged a bruising first set after blowing eight break points
with a top-class tiebreak, playing adventurous shots which sapped
Goffin's energy and the world number 10 ceded the final point with a
double fault.
The pair served up a sizzling second set, especially in the seventh
game when Nadal finally broke the Belgian for a second time in the
set at the fourth attempt after sensational rallies which had
spectators in the Caja Majica rising to their feet in appreciation.
"It was a beautiful game, we both played at the very highest level
and there were great points for everyone to see," Nadal told Spanish
Television.
"He (Goffin) demands the most of you, he's one of the best in the
world, one of the candidates to win the most important trophies.
"I knew I was playing well in the first set but I just couldn't take
my chances. Winning is very important but also the way I'm playing
at the moment makes me very relaxed."
Nadal has made a storming start to the claycourt season, winning the
Monte Carlo Masters and the Barcelona Open for a record-extending
10th time last month.
Saturday's match between Djokovic and Nadal will be the 50th between
the two great rivals, who have won a combined 26 grand slam titles.
Djokovic has won 26 of their previous meetings including the last
seven. Nadal last beat the world number two in the 2014 French Open
final.
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Djokovic celebrates at the end of match. REUTERS/Susana Vera
The Madrid Open started the rivalry, with the Caja Magica witnessing
an engrossing semi-final in 2009 lasting over four hours which Nadal
won after saving three match points.
Defending champion Djokovic reached the last four without hitting a
ball as his quarter-final opponent Kei Nishikori withdrew due to a
wrist injury.
The same problem forced world number eight Nishikori, seeded sixth
in Madrid, to miss the Barcelona Open last month but he is hoping to
be fit for next week's Rome Masters.
Croatian Borna Coric, conqueror of world number one Andy Murray in
the third round, plays Dominic Thiem of Austria later on Friday with
the winner meeting German Alexander Zverev or Pablo Cuevas of
Uruguay in the semis.
(Reporting by Richard Martin; editing by Ed Osmond) [© 2017 Thomson Reuters. All
rights reserved.]
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