Rafael Nadal, world number one, qualified for the semi-finals of the Shanghai Masters 1000 by defeating the Bulgarian Griogor Dimitrov, as well as the Argentine Juan Martín Del Potro, who will challenge Roger Federer if a blow he suffered to his left wrist does not prevent him. .
In a competitive match, Nadal beat the ninth in the world rankings in three sets, 6-4, 6-7 (4/7), 6-3.
Now the Spanish will play for a place in the final, which would be his second in Shanghai after 2009, against Croatian Marin Cilic, fifth world player, who beat Spanish Albert Ramos (No. 25), 6-3 and 6 -4.
Nadal leads by four wins to one in duels with Cilic.
This Friday Dimitrov made things difficult for the Spanish in a high-level duel with great intensity. The Bulgarian lost his serve, with 4-4, a break that served Nadal to take the sleeve.
In the second set, Dimitrov continued to offer great resistance, saving several break balls to earn the right to contest the tie-break.
– Great battle against Dimitrov –
In that decisive game, the Spaniard stood out with 2 points to 0, but later made several unforced errors, which cost him his sleeve.
Dimitrov missed a great chance in the deciding set with a break ball at 2-2. But Nadal saved her, before standing out at 4-2, to finally win 6-3.
Nadal applauded his rival off the track, whom he had defeated last week in the semi-finals in Beijing, also in three sets.
The Spaniard has ten wins and one loss against Dimitrov, whose only win over the world number one came a year ago, in the quarter-finals in Beijing.
“I’m very happy. It was a very tough game. We both play at a high level. Enjoyment. It was a great battle between two players who played all the time very concentrated, in very intense points, “said the 31-year-old Spaniard.
«I have been winning many games in a row and I am very happy about it. I was able to win the title in Beijing and now I am in the semi-finals, two tough tournaments against tough opponents, “he added.
– Duel against Federer –
Del Potro, 23rd in the ATP, qualified thanks to his victory by 4-6, 6-1 and 6-4 against the Serbian Viktor Troicki, 54th world player, but his presence on the track on Saturday is doubtful due to a blow in the left wrist.
The ‘Torre de Tandil’ was injured at the beginning of the third set, when he fell badly and supported his hand. If he recovers, he will play for being in the final against Federer, who beat Frenchman Richard Gasquet 7-5 and 6-4.
“At the time I felt there was a problem, but I kept playing, trying to ‘slices’ to finish the game. Now we will see what the tests say and the doctor will see, “said the 29-year-old tennis player.
“It worries me a little, but I have learned to manage this type of thing in the past,” added the Argentine.
According to the images, his foot was blocked on the ground and the tennis player tried to cushion the fall with his left wrist, operated on three times.
After several minutes of treatment together with a recuperator, Del Potro was able to continue and win the duel.
“I am happy to have reached the semifinals of such an important tournament, but from now on my health is the most important thing. I have suffered numerous injuries in my career and now is the time to take care of my body. If there is nothing dangerous, I will be there to play tomorrow and I will try to do my best, “he added.