ROME, Italy – Nine-time champion Rafael Nadal dispatched his Madrid Masters slayer Alexander Zverev 6-3, 6-4 to reach the Italian Open semi-finals on Friday.
Second-seed Nadal lost to Zverev in the Madrid last-eight last week, but ended his three-match losing streak against the German in the Foro Italico.
“It was an important victory for me against a great player,” said the Spaniard.
The 34-year-old shook off his marathon 3hr 30min quarter-final battle past Denis Shapovalov on Thursday where he needed to save two match points.
Nadal powered to 4-0 before sixth seed Zverev held serve with the 20-time Grand Slam winner saving break point to take the firs…
Keep on reading: Nadal takes revenge on Madrid slayer Zverev to advance to Rome semi-finals