BASTAD, Sweden — Rafael Nadal reached his first closing for the reason that 2022 French Open by rallying to beat Duje Ajdukovic 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 Saturday on the clay-court Nordea Open.
After needing 4 hours to beat Thirty sixth-ranked Mariano Navone in Friday’s quarterfinals, Nadal had a gradual begin in opposition to Ajdukovic and was a break down within the second set earlier than turning issues round.
“My opponent had probably the greatest backhands that I performed in opposition to,” Nadal mentioned. “It was very, very troublesome, truthfully, however I discovered a solution to survive and be via to that closing after a very long time with out being in a closing. In order that’s nice information, and I am very proud of that.”
Nadal will play both Nuno Borges or Thiago Agustin Tirante within the closing.
Nadal is taking part in on the match in Sweden for the primary time since he received the title as a 19-year-old in 2005 as he prepares for the Olympic match on clay at Roland Garros in Paris.
Nadal, 38, skipped Wimbledon as he did not wish to swap surfaces to grass after which again to clay and threat harm. He has been coping with hip and stomach accidents over the previous 1½ years.
