Rafael Nadal advanced to the semi-finals of the Bastad Open on Friday after a grueling four-hour match, defeating Argentina’s Mariano Navone 6-7 (2/7), 7-5, 7-5. This marks Nadal’s first semi-final appearance since Wimbledon two years ago. “It was very close, long, and tiring,” Nadal commented. His nearly four-hour win was the second longest three-set match of his career, just behind his 2009 Madrid semi-final against Novak Djokovic, which lasted 4 hours and 3 minutes.
Nadal faced a challenging start against the rising Navone, who is now ranked 36th in the world. Despite dropping serve three times and trailing 4-1 with a double break down, Nadal fought back, saving two set points in the 10th game of the first set before eventually forcing a tie-break. Navone won the first set after Nadal missed a forehand.
In the second set, Nadal surged to a 3-0 lead, but Navone fought back to take a 4-3 lead. Nadal regained control, securing the set with a powerful smash to level the match. The final set saw Navone take an early 2-0 lead, but Nadal responded by winning five consecutive games. Although Navone fought back to level at 5-all, Nadal broke serve again and clinched the match when Navone’s forehand return went into the net.
Nadal will face Croatian qualifier Duje Ajdukovic, ranked 130th, in the semi-finals. Ajdukovic, who had previously won just two tour-level matches, reached the last four by defeating Brazil’s Thiago Monteiro in three sets.
Nadal, who last won a singles title at the 2022 French Open, is using the Bastad Open as preparation for the Paris Olympics, where tennis will be held at Roland Garros. He returned to action this week after a first-round exit at the French Open in May. Nadal is also competing in the doubles event in Sweden, teaming up with Casper Ruud, with their semi-final match scheduled for Saturday. “It’s time to focus on recovery. Let’s see how I am tomorrow,” Nadal said.
