Rafael Nadal triumphs in a 4-hour marathon against Mariano Navone at the Nordea Open. © Twitter (@NordeaOpen)
Rafael Nadal showcased his indomitable spirit and mental toughness to overcome a stern challenge from Mariano Navone in a marathon quarter-final clash at the Nordea Open in Bastad. The former World No. 1 battled to a 6-7(2), 7-5, 7-5 victory in an absorbing four-hour contest on the clay courts of the ATP 250 event, marking his first tour-level semi-final since Wimbledon 2022.
Nadal, who has recently struggled with injuries and form, demonstrated remarkable resilience and physical endurance to outlast Navone in a match with numerous momentum shifts. Despite letting slip a 5-2 lead in the deciding set, Rafael Nadal dug deep to secure his 10th tour-level victory of 2024. I lost my concentration sometimes, but I could hold on physically until the end, Nadal said in his on-court interview. That is so important to me. Let’s see how I am tomorrow, but today, I am alive and in the semi-finals, so that’s very important.
Both players showcased their fighting spirit in their first-ever Lexus ATP Head2Head meeting. Traping from a double-break down at 1-4, Nadal forced a tie-break, only for Navone to clinch it in style. Navone again displayed his resilience, recovering from a double-break deficit at 0-3. However, Nadal secured a crucial break in the 11th game to level the match.
The final set was a rollercoaster. Navone initially broke Nadal’s serve to lead 2-0, but Nadal responded by winning five straight games. Navone fought back to level at 5-5, but Nadal’s experience and determination saw him break Navone’s serve in the 11th game and hold on to clinch the match. Nadal reflected on the many changing dynamics in every single set.
For moments, he was in control. For moments, I was in control. But in the end, no one was in control! I had a good chance in the second set with 3-0, and then I was very close to losing the match in the second set. In the third, I was ahead again with 5-2, but he’s a great fighter and played a great game. I wish him all the best for the rest of the season.
According to Infosys ATP Stats, Nadal converted 10 of 21 break points he earned against Navone. Competing in his first tour-level event since his first-round defeat to Alexander Zverev at Roland Garros in May, Nadal has extended his winning streak in Bastad to eight matches, having last won the title in 2005. Supported by his team and family, including his wife Maria, son Rafael, and sister, Nadal’s performance has been a testament to his enduring prowess and determination.
Nadal will face Croatian qualifier Duje Ajdukovic in the semi-finals. Ajdukovic secured his spot by defeating Thiago Monteiro 6-2, 4-6, 6-4. Regardless of the semi-final outcome, Nadal’s physical endurance and mental fortitude in his match against Navone will be a significant boost as he prepares for the upcoming Paris 2024 Olympics, set to be held at Roland Garros, where he is a record 14-time champion, from July 27 to August 4.
In the top half of the Bastad draw, seventh seed Nuno Borges will take on Thiago Agustin Tirante in the other semi-final. Tirante, who upset top seed Andrey Rublev in the second round, outlasted Roberto Carballes Baena 6-3, 2-6, 7-5. Borges rounded out the quarter-final Friday in Bastad by defeating Timofey Skatov 6-4, 6-3. Both Borges and Tirante will be making their maiden ATP Tour semi-final appearances.
