Nadal reaches Australian Open semi-final
Thursday, January 26, 2017 @ 11:27 AM
Rafael Nadal has reached his first Grand Slam semi-final in three years, despatching Canada's Milos Raonic in ruthless fashion.
12 months after being dumped unceremoniously out of the Australian Open in the first round by compatriot Fernando Verdasco, Nadal put in a sublime performance to dismiss World No. 3 in straight sets (6-4, 7-6, 6-4).
A dip in confidence prompted by a series of health and injury struggles over the past few years had thrown doubt on the Spaniard's future on the big stage. A wrist injury made him miss the last few months of the 2016 season, but hard work in the off season and the addition of Carlos Moyà to his coaching team appear to have paid off with the Mallorcan earning his place in the final four at Melbourne Park with victories over up-and-coming Alexander Zverev, the flamboyant Gael Monfils and a in-form Raonic.
“It’s good news, especially winning against difficult players: Monfils quarter-finals, Zverev round of 16, and now Raonic,” said Nadal. “I think all of them are top players. So that's very important for me because that means that I am competitive and playing well.
“I’m just excited about being back in the final rounds of the most important events,” the Spaniard went on. “I am here to try to make this. It’s always difficult, but I fought and I worked hard to try to make that happen.
“I’m very happy that after a lot of work I am in this round again. It’ a special thing for me, especially here in Australia. I have been playing and competing very well during the whole event. That's very important for me.”
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