Spain’s Rafael Nadal defeated Juan Martin del Potro to reach the Wimbledon semi-finals. This is his first semifinal clash since 2011.
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The two-time Wimbledon champion won 7-5 6-7 (7-9) 4-6 6-4 6-4, mere hours after?Roger Federer lost to?Kevin Anderson in his quarterfinal.
The Spaniard staged a come back from a set down before breaking in the fifth set to win in almost five hours.
The Spanish second seed will next face off against another arch-rival Novak Djokovic in the semi-finals.
Nadal is on the hunt for his third Wimbledon title and second Grand Slam of the year. The 17-time Grand Slam champion is the new favourite to win the tournament following Federer’s shock exit.
The fifth seed, had also lost to Nadal in the semi-finals of the French Open. This time, he bounced back from a set down to claim a closely-contested tie-break in the second.
Del Potro kept Nadal honest during the third set before finally forcing a late break of serve to take the lead at two sets to one.
But Nadal found another gear in the fourth to put the pressure back on the former US Open champion and force a fifth set.
The two were evenly matched until the very end. Nadal even jumped into the crowd at one point during a rally, and saved five break points in the final set. He broke midway through the final set and held his nerve from there to set up his sixth Wimbledon semi-final.
Del Potro too fought till the very end. Even after losing the first set many thought that he would be outclassed. But he remained on level terms and then got his nose in front.
But Rafa’s resilience and intensity made all the difference.
Fellow tennis player Andy Murray said, It was a great match that got better and better. That fifth set is one of the best sets I have ever seen.
Both played at such a high level, huge hitting and we saw great touch too. It was a great match and I felt very lucky to watch that.
Here’s how Twitter reacted to the match.
https://twitter.com/_naterzzzz/status/1017137924712919040
Thank you @RafaelNadal and @delpotrojuan, for something very, very special....#wimbledon2018
Absolutely fantastic Match ❤️🎾❤️ Well done Rafa I love you so much, Felt a tad sad for Delpo as like him too but I love Rafa!
You were right, hardluck mate. Wish @RafaelNadal luck to win it this time 😄.
https://twitter.com/btlittleton/status/1017159897430089728
At least we have @Wimbledon look forward to and @RafaelNadal is still going strong! #Wimbeldon #NadalvsDelPotro
Personally, I’ll probably opt to watch the #Wimbledon men’s tennis final - hopefully it will finish in time to watch the #WorldCup final but given @Merton_Council is the home of tennis 🎾 it takes priority. Hopefully @RafaelNadal will win his 3rd title.
Where to watch France vs Croatia World Cup final in London bit.ly/2NJRnb5
Epic! Sorry for Delpo, of course cause i love him and as a nolefam (lol) i was supporting him, but happy that Novak will face Rafa in wimbledon, thing that don't happen often, since this's the first semi-final for Rafa since 2011( the year Djokovic was the champion ;)
Now that’s a match I wanna watch !
.@RafaelNadal to face @DjokerNole in @Wimbledon semi-finals: news agency AFP
I'm so happy he won...great match from great players. Amazing feelings for me too lol. #teamrafael #smileandshine #emperador #elReyRafa💓💓
What an amazing battle between two athletes going all out. Bravo to both!!
https://twitter.com/thodson2000/status/1017162786558881794
what a class act by a great hall of frame champion@ rafaelnadal
@RafaelNadal What a great match! You are a beast !! Always #1 ¡Vamos Rafa!
The matador is back
These two always bring out the best in each other.
I missed the England game as I was at @Wimbledon However I witnessed a FANTASTIC game of tennis between @RafaelNadal and @delpotrojuan - 5 setter and such a high standard of #tennis. #Wimbledon #topgame #centrecourt #sw19 🎾
@RafaelNadal @delpotrojuan @Wimbledon 🤗 epic match 🔥 🎾
https://twitter.com/mesho_ahlawya/status/1017163469005651971
Agree! Best match since 08.
The best match I've ever seen 😍😍😍 .. congratulations @RafaelNadal .. #VamosRafa ht
What. A. Match. He had to work for it, but @RafaelNadal is into the #Wimbledon semi-finals… …with Novak Djokovic up next
What a match !
https://twitter.com/pratik_tarafdar/status/1017164018404884480
@RafaelNadal that was beautiful how you jumped the net and came over to Del Potro. Such a gentleman!!
An iconic photo of true sportsmanship! Just awe inspiring after an epic battle! #wimbledon2018 delpotrojuan @rafaelnadal @wimbledon instagram.com/p/BlG26NnD_Qk/…
https://twitter.com/rossdalrymple/status/1017164876488368131
https://twitter.com/andreagedwards/status/1017164274005954564
Whether he wins or not, Delpo's (bear) hugs with everyone in the end always makes me a crying mess. And these are his latest hugs with Nadal that I didn't see live... 😭 @delpotrojuan @RafaelNadal #Wimbledon
