Nadal, Tsitsipas, Schwartzman reach SFs of Italian Open

Speed Post News Network

Patna : World No 2 in ATP rankings and eight times champion Rafael Nadal, Spain, World No 7 Stefanos Tsitsipas, Greece, and World No 24 Diego Schwartzman, 2, Argentina, entered the semi-finals of Italian Open on May 17, 2019.

Nadal beat World No 38 Fernando Verdasco, 35, Spain, 6-4, 6-0 in the quarter-finals in 1hr 38 minutes at Foro Italico, Rome, Italy, to storm into the semi-finals. But, Verdasco, who had defeated World No 4 Dominic Thiem, Austria, in the 2nd round, and World No 13 Karen Khachanov, Russia, in the Round of 16, gave tough contest to Nadal in the first set breaking his service in the first game itself racing to a 3-1 lead. Nadal restored parity by breaking Verdasco’s service in the 6th game to make it 3-3. Nadal again broke Verdasco’s  service in the 10th game to clinch the first set. Nadal was back to his ruthless best in the 2nd set breaking Verdasco’s service thrice winning the set 6-0.

Nadal, who was in devastating form on May 16, 2019, beating Jeremy Chardy, France, 6-0, 6-1, in the second round, and World No 18 Nikoloz Basilashvili, 27, Georgia, 6-1, 6-0 in the Round of 16, broke Verdasco’s service 5 times in the quarter-finals. Verdasco could break Nadal’s service only once. Nadal won 8 consecutive games in the match to 2 by Verdasco. Nadal also served 2 Aces. He won 38 service points to 21 by Verdasco.

Schwartzman upset World No 6 Kei Nishikori, 29, Japan, 6-4, 6-2 in 1 hr 27 minutes in in the quarter-finals to advance to the semi-finals. Schwartzman broke Nishikori’s service 5 times in the match while the latter broke his service twice. Schwartzman won 5 games in a row to 4 by Nishikori. Both the players served 2 Aces each in the match. Schwartzman’s winning percentage on both his first and second serve (67% & 58%) was much better than that of Nishikori (59% & 37 %).

Tsitsipas advanced to the semi-finals after his quarter-final opponent and World No 3 Roger Federer, Switzerland, retired before the match due to leg  injury. Tsitsipas had defeated World No 12 Fabio Fognini, Italy, Winner of ATP Monte-Carlo Masters title this year, 6-4, 6-3 in the Round of 16.