By Andrew Bogusch
Rolandgarros.com
May 31, 2024
Spanish juggernaut Rafael Nadal made the much anticipated semi-final match-up with world number one Roger Federer a reality Tuesday afternoon with a resounding 7-5 6-2 6-0 decision over compatriot David Ferrer.
The 18-year-old lefty maintained his magnificent form against the 20th seed by surviving a gruelling opening set and then dominating the last two. Nadal, the fourth seed in Paris, will play his first career Grand Slam semi Friday against the Swiss, who took care of Romanian Victor Hanescu earlier Tuesday.
In that first set, serving 4-5, Nadal stared down three set points. Back at deuce, a gorgeous forehand passer that twisted into the back corner of the court left Ferrer smiling in disbelief. Nadal eventually held and then broke to 6-5 with the help of another near-perfect forehand down-the-line pass. He faced a break point, though, in the next game, but consecutive errors allowed Nadal to hold again and take the set.
As Ferrer suffered through lower back pain in the second, Nadal raced to 5-1 with acrobatic point after acrobatic point.
In the third, the winner of five clay court events this year would not be denied a quick exit. He broke at love to start the set, rescued his ensuing service game from 15-40 and then broke from 40-0 down. Ferrer had nothing left, and Nadal sprinted through the next three games for his 21st straight victory.
At 18 years, 355 days, Nadal is now the seventh-youngest male Roland Garros semi-finalist.
Nadal and Federer have met twice before, both times at the hardcourt event in Miami. Last year, Nadal won 6-3 6-3. This April, he led two-sets-to-one before Federer stormed back for a five-set win in the final.
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