Rafael Nadal managed to beat the Argentine Mariano Navone After a marathon match of almost four hours in three sets by 6 (2)-7, 7-5 and 7-5, he qualified for the semifinals of the ATP 250 of Enough.
Nadal had previously defeated Cameron Norrie, which allowed him to advance to this stage, where he seeks to fight for a title after two years of drought, the same period in which he did not make it into the top four of an ATP tournament.
Navone, 23, showed great determination from the start, without thinking too much about the fact that he was facing his idol. With only five months of experience in ATP tournaments, the Buenos Aires native bravely faced Nadal, showing the same courage that led him to climb from 125th place to the top 30 in the rankings.
On the Bastad Tennis Stadium court, Navone started strongly, taking a 4-1 lead in the first set. However, Nadal was quick to respond with his characteristic tenacity, leveling the score and taking the set to a tie-break.
There, the 9 de Julio player won with a 7-3, shouting with euphoria while the man from Manacor retired to his chair with an angry gesture.
The second set showed Nadal determined not to give up ground. Despite a difficult start, he managed to go 3-0 up, but Navone was not intimidated and tied the score at 3-3. The fight continued evenly until the former world number 1 managed to break his rival’s serve to win the set 7-5.
The third set was a battle of endurance. Navone managed to break first, but Nadal quickly recovered, leveling the score and taking the lead for the first time in the match.
The Albiceleste did not give up, breaking again to tie the game at 5-5, but “Rafa” showed his veteran skills and took the last games, closing the set 7-5 and securing the victory.
This triumph marks a significant moment for Nadal, who is looking to return to his best form ahead of the 2024 Paris Olympics. His last major victory came at Roland Garros 2022, and although injuries have kept him off the court, the Spaniard continues to demonstrate his legendary perseverance and skill.
A great triumph for Tirante
La Plata native Thiago Tirante scored a very important victory at the ATP 250 in Bastad. After defeating Spaniard Roberto Carballés Baena 6-3, 2-6 and 7-5, he will play a semi-final on the major circuit for the first time in his career.
Tirante, who played an aggressive and powerful game, worked hard to eliminate Carballés Baena in two hours and 15 minutes. He will try to make it to the final of the Swedish tournament against the Portuguese Nuno Borges or the Kazakh Timofey Skatov.
Source: Ambito
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