Nadal reaches first semi of season at Swedish Open

Rafael Nadal came done a three-hour-and-58-minute marathon to scope his first semi-final of nan year, coming from down to conclusion Argentine Mariano Navone astatine nan Swedish Open.

Nadal, 38, knocked retired nan 4th seed 6-7 (2-7) 7-5 7-5 to group up a gathering pinch Croatia's Duje Ajdukovic for a spot successful nan final.

The Spaniard is besides owed to play pinch Casper Ruud successful nan doubles semi-finals against Brazil's Orlando Luz and Rafael Matos arsenic he prepares to partner Carlos Alcaraz astatine nan Olympics successful Paris.

Some superb tennis betwixt nan 2 forced a first-set tie-break, wherever nan Argentine powered his measurement into nan lead.

After breaking doubly successful nan 2nd group to lead 3-0, Nadal past mislaid 4 games successful a statement arsenic his level dropped dramatically.

Nadal collapsed again to make it 6-5 and was past capable to clasp his nervus to level nan match.

The 22-time Grand Slam victor grounded erstwhile serving for nan lucifer astatine nan first attempt, but closed retired nan necktie astatine nan 2nd clip of asking.

"First of all, I'm looking guardant to nan day and trying to retrieve this body," said Nadal.

"Even if it's a young body, I would request to activity and retrieve erstwhile and for all. I will spot really I aftermath up tomorrow."