Rafael Nadal enjoys a holiday with his family and friends

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The 22-time Major champion Rafael Nadal enjoys a holiday in Formentera with his family and friends. Rafa is taking a couple of days off after his challenging Wimbledon campaign that ended with the withdrawal ahead of the semi-final duel with Nick Kyrgios. Rafa enjoys his favorite activities on his beautiful yacht, including a jet ski ride with a friend on the waves. After two Major titles earlier this year, Nadal wished for the third consecutive in London. His chances were reduced drastically following an abdominal injury that prevented him from practicing serve or working on his initial shot. The Spaniard did not play well in the opening two rounds against Francisco Cerundolo and Ricardas Berankis, losing two sets and spending six and a half hours on the court. Rafa looked better against Lorenzo Sonego and Botic Van De Zandschulp, defeating them in straight sets and preserving energy for a more challenging task in the quarters.

Rafael Nadal enjoys a holiday with his family and friends.

Dealing with a seven-millimeter abdominal tear, Rafa gave his 120% in a 3-6, 7-5, 3-6, 7-5, 7-6 triumph over Taylor Fritz in four hours and 20 minutes! Nadal reached his eighth Wimbledon semi-final after a monumental effort, refusing to retire and giving his best to finish the match at least. Fritz claimed five straight games in the opening set to overcome a slow start and take it 6-3. Rafa built the advantage in the second set before the youngster moved back to 3-3. Fritz served to stay in the set at 5-6, and Nadal grabbed a late break to secure it and level the overall score. Taylor took charge in the third set and grabbed a couple of breaks in games three and nine for 6-3 and a new advantage. Nadal spoke with the doctor and opted to fight until the end despite the apparent struggle. Rafa moved 4-2 ahead in the fourth set, and Taylor broke back in game eight to lock the result at 4-4.

The Spaniard forced the rival's mistake in the 11th game to open a 6-5 gap and held at love with a forehand winner a few minutes later to force a decider. Both players served well at the start of the fifth set before Rafa converted the fourth break chance with a drop shot winner for a 4-3 lead. Taylor broke back in the next one and moved 5-4 up with a backhand crosscourt winner, standing a game away from the finish line. Rafa landed a perfect volley winner for 5-5 and more drama. The encounter went into a deciding tie break, and Nadal gained a 7-3 lead after a volley winner. He earned six match points with a forehand down the line winner at 8-3 and seized the second with a forehand winner to emerge at the top. Rafa will start training as soon as possible, although he can not work on his serve for a couple more weeks.

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/KLIUvHF

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