It was a match worthy of a final. World number one Rafael Nadal outlasted Novak Djokovic of Serbia in an epic three-set semifinal match at the ATP Madrid Masters. The score: 3-6, 7-6 (7-5), 7-6 (11-9).
Nadal was at the brink of defeat several times in the third set tiebreaker with Djokovic having several opportunities to close out the match. However, the Spaniard managed to keep the match at bay at those crucial moments. In the end, it was Djokovic who produced the costly error to end the tiebreak at 11-9.
The match, which lasted four hours and two minutes, kept everyone on their seats, gasping at the moments where Nadal was seemingly headed for an early exit and applauding when the Spaniard staved off rival’s match points. Even though he’s yet to win against Nadal on claycourts, Djokovic proved in this match that he’s as formidable as the Spaniard in this surface.
Nadal, who could create a record as the first player to win all the ATP claycourt Masters title in a single year by winning the Madrid Masters, will face nemesis and friend Roger Federer in the finals. The Swiss world number two defeated Juan Martin del Potro in two sets 6-3, 6-4.
This will serve as the 20th career meeting between Nadal and Federer and first since this year’s Australian Open. The Spaniard currently holds the lead in head-to-head matches with 13 wins and 6 losses.
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