Rafael Nadal is into the semi-final at the ATP 250 event in Bastad. Rafa battled past world no. 36 Mariano Navone 6-7, 7-5, 7-5 in four hours, achieving his best result since Wimbledon 2022! Nadal is playing his first tournament since the Roland Garros early exit.
The veteran scored two wins before embracing an incredible battle against the young Argentine, playing one of the most extended best-of-three duels of his incredible career. Rafa claimed ten points more than Mariano, playing better behind the first serve but struggling on the second.
The Spaniard faced 15 break points and lost serve eight times. He generated 21 break opportunities and seized ten, staying focused in the closing stages of sets two and three and moving into the last four.
Rafael Nadal defeated Mariano Navone in four hours in Bastad.
Nadal had a slim advantage in the shortest and more advanced rallies, prevailing in the pivotal moments and surviving his most challenging test since returning from a hip injury.
The Spaniard served well against Borg and Norrie, and it all changed against Navone. Mariano grabbed three straight breaks at the beginning of the duel for a 4-1 advantage. Rafa pulled one break back in game six and served well to prolong the action.
Navone served for the opener at 5-4 and squandered two set points. Nadal pulled the break back to prolong the set, holding at love in game 11 and creating two set points on the return at 6-5. Mariano denied them and gained a boost ahead of the tie break, delivering four mini-breaks and clinching it 7-2 after an hour and 25 minutes!
Rafa made a strong start in the second set and clinched a double break for 3-0. Mariano erased the deficit for 3-3, and they served well in the upcoming ones for 5-5.
The veteran delivered a break in game 11, moving in front and closing the set with a fine hold for 7-5, forcing a decider after over two and a half hours. The final set offered break points in nine out of 12 games, with two rivals staying neck and neck.
Navone led 2-0 before Nadal took charge on the return, earning three straight breaks and forging a 5-2 advantage. Rafa served for the win in games eight and ten, experiencing a setback and keeping Mariano alive. However, the king of clay clinched another break in game 11 and held at love at 6-5 for a massive victory after a four-hour battle.