(AP) – Top-ranked Rafael Nadal outlasted Juan Martin del Potro in a crowd-pleasing five-set duel to reach his first Wimbledon semi-final since 2011.
In a match filled with entertaining rallies between two of the biggest hitters in the game, Rafa came from a set down to win 7-5, 6-7 (7), 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 in 4 hours, 48 minutes — the longest match of this year’s tournament.
Del Potro finished with 77 winners to Rafa’s 67 but failed to convert any of his five break points in the fifth set. Instead it was the Spaniard who earned the only break of the decider and he closed out the win on his first match point — leaving the fifth-seeded Argentine sprawled on the grass in exhaustion.
Rafa will face Novak Djokovic next in a rematch of the 2011 final, the last time the Spaniard had even made the quarter-finals at the All England Club.
Source: AP
Not a fan but will congratulate Serena for reaching the semifinals, having dropped only one set in the process.
Despite her seven Wimbledon trophies and her win over Julia, the same opponent in the FO who she will play in this semifinal, she is not taking anything for granted, “That doesn’t matter. This is a whole new match, it’s a new surface, it’s everything. We’re starting from zero.”
After vociferous opposition by colleagues and pundits against the ELTA’s seeding rules, Serena was seeded 25 despite her very low ranking. This is a win for all women who choose to take time off from the tour to start or add to their family.
Addendum: Serena is currently ranked 181 in singles. [WTA]
Rafa congratulations great much vamosssssssssssssss all the way .you can do ,to the Finals love ❤️ 🎾❤️🎾❤️🎾❤️🎾❤️🎾❤️🎾❤️🎾❤️🎾❤️👍❤️🎾
Wat are the chances of Rafa against novak..I am jus worried if he can physically recover. Rafa has already played the final and playing another final in a row..
2008 Wimbledon final, 2009 Australian Open final, 2012 Australian Open final, 2013 French Open semifinal, 2017 Australian Open semifinal and final – and now this. Why do people love Nadal so much? Could it be because of the number of classics he has been part of?
Rafa well done on what sounds like a very exciting match.
All the best for your match against Novak,
Love and prayers,
AlaineXXSydneyXXAustraliaXX
Wow Rafa..Many Congratulations on your enthralling match with Juan. Edge of seat tennis..loved every second 🎾🎾🇪🇸🇮🇪💚💚
No words for that match. Just amazing!!!
So happy for Rafa. Take rest and than kick Novak out! Vamos Rafa <3
What a thriller of a match,fortunately Rafa came out victorious and showed his qualities as a victorious player who can emphatize with the loser.
For the semi-final tomorrow, kick Djokovicz, the super nasty cry-baby of Wimbledon out of this tournament. We know you are humble and you respect your opponents. Please, please do not respect that Djokovicz who is nothing similar to Del Potro, the gentleman. Djokovicz has recovered his success by using hatred to provoke himself against his opponents. His attitude is not only murderous, he is also an example of how not to behave on and off-court.
Wamos Rafa, you are the best.
First it was Rafa losing in a humiliating defeat at Wimbledon. Now it is a muderous Djokovic. I was unfortunate to come across your ugly comment on a different website, same words as here but under a different screen name. I am not surprised about how some individuals love to spread their “h” [4 letter word] as much as they can.
what a match! bravo Rafa 👏👏👏 it’s incredible ! best of luck to the semi-final.
Vamos and win win win 💪💪💪
Well, it was 6 a..m. when I finally got to bed after watching two of the most exciting matches between Federer and Anderson and Rafa and Del Potro.
Brilliant play from all four competitors and worth the all night vigil here in Australia.
So happy that Rafa has reached the Wimbledon semi-final for the first time since 2011.
It would be wonderful if he won his third Wimbledon title this year but it is still too early to speculate. All four semi-finalists are strong contenders.
But I am keeping my fingers crossed. !!
SHAPOO…ENHORABUENA!!!…gran gran partido por parte d los dos…pero tu Rafa eres especial…shapooo…ùnico..me alegro por ti esta victooria..sales fortalecido…ADELANTE Y siempre contigo…
Rafa is right about keeping the best-of-five format for Slams. The thrills, the excitement and at times the uncertainty is just unsurpassed in this format.
del Potro: “Rafa played like the No. 1 that he is.” “He always brings something special.”
What a thrilling match for Team Nadal, fans and spectators. I hope Rafa recovers easily from his match and keeps a positive mindset on Friday when he faces Nole, looking forward only. Looking forward to a third Wimby title and refusing to let anyone stand in the way.
RAFA ROCKS WIMBY
Si quiere leerlo, hay un artículo fantástico en “ElEspañol” con Francis Roig, uno de los entrenadores de Rafa. Roig habló del partido de ayer contra del Potro y del partido de mañana contra Djokovic. Es muy informativo.
OH my gosh! Being Rafa’s #1 fan😃 For 14 years he still puts me through anxious moments when I pace the floor. Great match. Vamos! You came through again. And fantastic play from Delpo! ❤️
Very high quality match. When Rafa double faulted in tie break I remained confident. Just had a feeling he was too determined not to beat himself.
Same with 5th set, he was not going to let it happen again to be up a break and give it back.