Following his victory over
Tommy Paul at the Abierto Mexicano Acapulco on Thursday night,
Rafael Nadal set up an
Australian Open final rematch with
Daniil Medvedev as the two are set to clash in the semifinals.
The Spaniard improved to 13-0 to start the season, the best of his career as he overpowered Paul in a 6-0 7-6(5) slugfest. After racing through the first set without little difficult, Paul attempted a comeback as he applied pressure to the Spaniard from both wings, obtaining an early break to lead 2-0.
However, Nadal rallied back to even the score at 2-2, and obtained another break to race to a 5-3 lead and serve for the match. The 21-Grand Slam champion squandered four match points, as his American opponent fought back to level the score and force a tiebreaker. It was here that Nadal's experience prevailed, as he remained cool under pressure before sealing victory after two hours and three minutes.
Nadal will face Daniil Medvedev in a rematch of their epic Australian Open final, which the Spaniard won after coming back from two sets down. With Medvedev set to become the new World No.1 next week, the Russian will have face less pressure and is likely itching for revenge after his loss at Melbourne Park.