Nadal withdraws from Qatar Open, says ‘not ready to compete’
Former world no. 1 tennis star Rafael Nadal has further delayed his comeback after pulling out of the upcoming Qatar Open.
Three-time US Open champion Rafael Nadal registered a straight-set victory over Argentine Diego Schwartzman in a nail-biting quarterfinal at the Flushing Meadows on Thursday.
No. 2 seed Nadal had to toil on an excessively humid day, as he overcame a stiff challenge from Schwartzman in the first two sets and eventually registered a 6-4, 7-5, 6-2 victory to advance to the semifinal of the US Open for the eighth time.
“He’s one of the best players of the world. When he’s playing well, he’s able to win against everybody,” Nadal said post his win over Schwartzman, adding, “Tonight was for me [a] tough match. I’m very happy for the victory.”
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The Spaniard earned double-break leads in each of the first two sets, but was unable to hang onto those on either occasion.
However, when it mattered the most, Nadal maintained the more consistent level and scripted victory in two hours and 47 minutes.
On Saturday, the 33-year-old will play Italian Matteo Berrettini, who had never made a Slam quarterfinal before this tournament. Berrettini beat Frenchman Gael Monfils in an epic five-setter earlier in the day.
In the other semifinal, Grigor Dimitrov will take on in-form fifth seed Daniil Medvedev. Medvedev, 23, defeated Stan Wawrinka in four sets to become the youngest men’s semifinalist at the US Open since 2010.
(With inputs from IANS)
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