BASTAD (AFP) – Sweden Rafael Nadal battled his way into the Bastad Open semifinals on Friday, taking three hours and fifty-nine minutes to defeat Mariano Navone of Argentina 6-7 (2/7), 7-5, and 7-5.
It is the first time since Wimbledon two years ago that the 22-time Grand Slam champion has advanced to the final four of a competition.
“It was very close, long, and tiring,” Rafael Nadal remarked after his almost four-hour victory, which was the second-longest three-set match of his career, behind only his four-hour-and-three-minute 2009 Madrid semifinal showdown against Novak Djokovic.
“He had brief moments of dominance. For a brief while, I had command. Nobody was in charge at the conclusion. That’s the reality, Nadal continued.
