New Delhi: Spanish tennis player Rafael Nadal defeated Italian player Matteo Berrettini 6-3, 6-2, 3-6, 6-3 in the Men’s singles semi-finals of the Australian Open 2022 at the Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne Park, on Friday, January 28, 2022.
Nadal began the opening set with a powerful serve and dominated the match as Matteo made a wide. He made an early break and earned was 3 points ahead. Matteo made an ace and received a point. However, Nadal’s forehand smash gifted him another point. Matteo also made a forehand service and gained a point at 4-2. Nadal sent an off-target forehand, followed by a backhand into the net, and won the set 6-3.
The next set also featured Nadal in the lead as he quickly progressed to 4-0 points. His swift volleys and aces stopped the opponent from trying any moves or snatching a point. Matteo finished from the net and finally managed a point. A backhand from Nadal 5-1 was followed by an ace from Matteo 5-2. Nadal won the second set 6-2.
The third set was an intense playoff, with Matteo taking an early breakpoint. He aggressively charged at Nadal and made a forehand smash. Matteo slid against the blue surface and snatched another point as Nadal tried equalising scores. Matteo won the set 6-3.
The final set began with Nadal’s forehand volley. Matteo held the serve and equalised scores 1-1. Nadal made a backhand serve before Matteo held another serve to equalise scores. Matteo aced another point, but Nadal smashed a forehand ace and pressurized Matteo into unforced errors. Nadal won the set and the semi-finals 6-3.
He will play the Grand Slam finals against Daniil Medvedev at the Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne Park, on January 30, 2022.
(Avya Mathur)