Australian Open: Rafael Nadal battles into final in Melbourne, chasing record 21st grand slam
- Spaniard fights Matteo Berrettini in four sets 6-3, 6-2, 3-6, 6-3 to keep historic title in his sights
- Daniil Medvedev and Stefanos Tsitsipas are up next on Rod Laver Arena in second semi-final
Rafael Nadal is through to the final of the Australian Open, but he was made to fight all the way by Italian Matteo Berrettini in Melbourne on Friday.
Chasing a record 21st grand slam title, Nadal beat the seventh seed in four sets, 6-3, 6-2, 3-6, 6-3 in a match that lasted almost three hours.
The Spaniard is now one win away from moving ahead of fellow 20-time grand slam champions and “big three” rivals Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer in the race to become greatest male player in tennis history.
With rain bucketing down outside, the 35-year-old Nadal made a fast start under the closed roof of the Rod Laver Arena and took control by breaking Wimbledon finalist Berrettini’s serve early in each of the first two sets.
Nadal’s vicious top-spin forehand did most of the damage early on, pinning Berrettini down behind the baseline and leaving him very little time to produce his big groundstrokes.
“I started the match playing great. First two sets have been one of the best so far since a long time,” Nadal said. “I know how good is Matteo. He’s a very solid player, very dangerous. In the third I knew at some point he’s gonna go for the shots.
“We need to suffer and we need to fight. That is the only way to be where I am today. Honestly, it means a lot to me to be in the final here again.”