Last Updated: 07/06/22 8:22 PM
Rafael Nadal made a remarkable return to Center Court
Rafael Nadal came from behind to beat Taylor Fritz in a five-set quarter-final thriller at Wimbledon as the Spaniard battled injury to keep his hopes of a calendar Grand Slam alive.
Nadal appeared on the brink of retirement as he called the coach to deal with an abdominal problem during the second set, but twice came from a set down against the American to seal a remarkable 3-6 7-5 3-6 7-5 7 -6 (10-4) win in four hours and 20 minutes.
The 36-year-old Spaniard, who won the Australian Open and French Open earlier this year to reach a men’s record 22 Grand Slam singles titles, will face Nick Kyrgios in Friday’s semi-final after the Australian advanced to the last four for the first time in straight sets over Cristian Garin.
“The body in general is fine, of course in the abs something is wrong, to be honest,” two-time champion Nadal said on court after the match.
“I have to find a way to serve a little bit differently. For a lot of moments I thought I wouldn’t be able to finish the match.”
Nadal needed treatment on several occasions
“Hopefully I’ll be ready to play. That’s the first thing. Then, Nick is a great player on all surfaces, but especially here on grass. He’s having a great season on grass. It’s going to be a big challenge, I’m going to need to be on 100% to get opportunities and that’s what I’ll try to do.”
It was American Fritz, seeded 11th, who halted Nadal’s 20-match winning start to the season in the Indian Wells final in March when the Spaniard was hampered by a rib fracture and it appeared history was repeating itself.
Taylor Fritz was left in despair after his five-set loss to Rafael Nadal at Wimbledon.
But on this occasion, the 24-year-old – playing in a Grand Slam quarter-final for the first time – initially appeared to be distracted by Nadal’s woes, while he would also need treatment on his heavily bandaged thigh.
Match statistics
Taylor Fritz Rafael Nadal 19 Aces 5 3 Double Faults 7 63% First Serve % 65% 70% First Serve % Win 70% 48% Second Serve % Win 47% 20/35 Net Points Won 26/36 8/14 Break points scored 7/14 56 Hitters 56 35 Unforced errors 42 168 Total points scored 168
Nadal makes a remarkable comeback
On paper, Nadal’s straight-sets victory over Botic van de Zandschulp in the fourth round was simple, but the tape was visible on the Spaniard’s stomach.
Nadal refused to discuss the problem afterwards, and looked good early against Fritz, breaking serve in the first game to cut to a 3-1 lead.
From there, though, the American began to really threaten his second serve, and a run of five straight games won him the first set.
Fritz was on the rise after the first set
Nadal responded well and broke serve to start the second set, but the pattern repeated itself as Fritz came back, with his opponent’s service speeds significantly reduced.
A somber look appeared on the 36-year-old’s face as he spoke to the coach after battling to hold serve and take a 4-3 lead, and was taken off the court for a lengthy medical time-out.
Nadal’s father Sebastian, watching from his player’s box, appeared to beckon his son to call it a day, but he fought back and showed his ability to dig deep by winning the second set.
Nadal admitted after the match that he had considered retiring
However, hopes of a miraculous comeback faded during the third set, which ended with Nadal sitting in his chair and shaking his head at his box.
Fritz glanced at his opponent, expecting a handshake, but it didn’t come and Nadal went to the well again to take an early lead in the fourth set.
The American knew the match was there for the taking, but Nadal’s takedown was a different story.
Fritz was on the rise after the first set
He broke back to lead 5-4 only for Nadal to take his forehand and claim three games in a row to force an unlikely arbiter.
Fritz was a picture of frustration, which only increased when Nadal broke to lead 4-3, but the Spaniard was still struggling to find dominance on serve and back came his opponent immediately.
Nadal took control of the deciding tiebreak by winning the first five points and, although Fritz briefly threatened a comeback, he could not deny the formidable Spaniard as he cruised to victory.
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