Nadal grinds out epic win over Shapovalov

Rafael Nadal rallied from a set down to defeat the young Canadian and reach the quarter-final in Rome once again. 

Rafael Nadal defeated Denis Shapovalov in a match that ended 3-6, 6-4, 7-6 (7-3) after nearly three and a half hours on-court.

Rafael Nadal has now reached the quarter-finals in Rome 16 times out of 17 career appearances, having won the tournament 9 times out of 11 finals contested.

Nadal has now reached an astonishing 97 Masters 1000 quarter-finals in his career.

𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘵𝘶𝘧𝘧 𝘰𝘧 𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙢𝙥𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙨

The moment @RafaelNadal won a thrilling contest with Shapovalov after saving two match points in Rome…#IBI21 pic.twitter.com/LIBFHHbyUZ

— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) May 13, 2021

Shapovalov saw two match points come and go as he was unable to convert for a second career win over the Spaniard.

Rafael Nadal could face the man who ousted him from Madrid, Alexander Zverev, if the German overcomes Kei Nishikori in his round of 16 match.

(Photo credit Ray Giubilo)

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