'05: Ferrer ✅ '06: Monfils ✅ '07: Davydenko ✅ '09: Gonzalez ✅ '10: Gulbis ✅ '11: Gasquet ✅ '12: Ferrer ✅ '13: Berdych ✅ '14: Dimitrov ✅ '18: Djokovic ✅ '19: Tsitsipas ✅ '21: Opelka ✅ @RafaelNadal maintains his perfect Rome semi-final record. #IBI21
Rafael Nadal is the first finalists of the Internazionali BNL d'Italia as he defeated Reilly Opelka in straight sets.
The first semifinal went largely as expected with Nadal winning 6-4 6-4 against Reilly Opelka. The American did extremely well to reach the semifinal in Rome but even he admitted that's it was mostly due to circumstances and not his clay prowess. Nadal on the other hand is a master of clay and it showed today.
Opelka started the match well forcing Nadal to save several break points which the Spaniard did. Considering how well Opelka served all week it could have been deadly for Nadal. After he did that he finally found ways to frustrate Opelka on his own serve.
He broke the American at 2-2 taking the lead and he never looked back. Knowing how valuable a break is against a player like Opelka Nadal was extremely focused on his own serve and did not allow the American anything. He closed the first one with 6-4.
The 2nd set featured even quicker points and games by both players. Opelka only struggled in one of his service games and Nadal was able to break him. After that games went rather quickly with neither playing allowing much.
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Nadal held his nerve and served out the match winning the 2nd set 6-4 as well. A good win for Nadal who moves to the final boosting his confidence even higher which should suit him well in the final and going forward.
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