Rafael Nadal downs Cameron Norrie to advance into Barcelona Open semis

Facing Cameron Norrie for the second time in 2021, the 11-time Barcelona champion Rafael Nadal defeated the Briton 6-1, 6-4 in an hour and 34 minutes to advance into the last four.

Nadal claimed the opening set in 40 minutes, serving well and delivering two straight breaks for 6-1. Rafa held at 30 in the first game when Cameron netted a backhand, with the Briton closing the second game after deuce for 1-1. Nadal closed the third game with a service winner and stole a break a few minutes later when Norrie sprayed a forehand error right after the serve.

The Spaniard brought the fifth game home with another powerful serve and seized the fourth break chance to forge a 5-1 advantage. Serving for the set, Rafa held at love to grab it in style, hoping for more of the same in set number two.

The Briton closed the second set's opening game with a crafty volley winner at the net before the Spaniard held at 30 with an ace to level the score at 1-1. The home favorite landed a perfect forehand return winner in the third game to secure a break at love and open a 2-1 gap that pushed him closer to the finish line. From 30-0 down in game four, Rafa took four straight points to keep the serve intact, finishing it with an ace and rattling off nine out of 11 games since the start of the match. Cameron produced a perfect hold in game five to remain within one break deficit before Rafa fired another ace for a 4-2 advantage.

Creating a break chance in game seven, Nadal wasted it after a terrible bounce, skipping the entire ball and allowing his opponent to close the game and stay in touch. Out of a sudden, the Spaniard sprayed a couple of errors in game eight to face two break points, fending off both with winners before Cameron created the third after a well-constructed attack and a backhand down the line winner.

That third proved to be a lucky one for him, as Nadal sent a forehand long to get broken and bring his rival back to 4-4. Staying calm, Rafa grabbed a break at love in game nine and served for the victory in the next one. From 30-0 down, the crowd favorite bounced back to seal the deal with a forehand winner and move into the last four.