Spaniard defeated Uruguayan Pablo Cuevas 4-6, 7-5, 6-0 in the quarterfinal
Rafael Nadal, of Spain, returns the ball to Pablo Cuevas of Uruguay at the quarter-finals of the Rio Open tennis tournament (Photo: AP)
Rio De Janeiro: Claycourt king Rafael Nadal battled into the early hours as he reached the semifinals of the Rio Open after beating Uruguayan Pablo Cuevas on Saturday. Nadal, who will bid this season for a tenth Roland Garros crown, came through 4-6, 7-5, 6-0 in two hours and six minutes.
Fognini had kept Nadal waiting to enter the center court fray as he beat Argentine Federico Delbonis 6-4, 6-7 (10/12), 7-6 (11/9) in a three hour marathon. Nadal had seen off fellow Spaniard Pablo Carreno Busta and Brazilian Thomaz Bellucci to set up his meeting with Cuevas, but the Mallorcan’s ring rustiness showed as he conceded the opening set in 44 minutes.
( Source : AFP )
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