Denis Shapovalov recalls his favorite Rafael Nadal clash

11/19/2024 12:15 PM

Rafael Nadal will end his career at the Davis Cup Finals in Malaga. The legend's retirement has been the dominant story ahead of the first encounters. Many rivals have recalled their memories of Rafa, praising his incredible dedication and fighting spirit. 

Denis Shapovalov competed against Nadal six times between 2017 and 2022, earning two victories. Despite barely missing a notable triumph over a great rival, Shapovalov cited their 2022 Australian Open clash as his most cherished memory against Nadal. 

The Canadian pushed the 2009 champion to the limits in the quarter-final under a boiling Melbourne sun. Rafa struggled physically but prevailed 6-3, 6-4, 4-6, 3-6, 6-3 in four hours and eight minuttes, moving to his seventh Australian Open semi-final. 

The Spaniard struggled with stomach issues, barely surviving the fourth set in challenging conditions. He took a medical timeout and recovered ahead of set number five, earning an early break and emerging at the top. Nadal praised his opponent and his determination. 

Rafa left the court completely destroyed, losing four kilos and looking for much-needed two days off ahead of the semi-final. As we all know, he rose above this challenge and scored two more wins to celebrate his first Australian Open title since 2009. 

One for the ages ✨ 🇪🇸 @RafaelNadal defeats Denis Shapovalov 6-3 6-4 4-6 3-6 6-3 to reach his seventh #AusOpen semifinal.#AO2022pic.twitter.com/2vp5Enfeep

— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 25, 2022

Rafa made a reliable start against Denis and took the opening two sets. However, he had to work hard to bring the victory home, with Denis bouncing back in sets three and four to force a decider and improve his chances. Like many times before, Nadal left physical issues behind and sealed the deal in the decider. 

It was one of his most thrilling victories in Melbourne, dealing with his opponent and stomach issues. Shapovalov took charge in the fourth set and looked good to crush the rival's dreams of the second Australian Open title. Suddenly, Rafa found extra energy at the beginning of the decider and made the difference. 

The more experienced player claimed 13 points more than his opponent. He presented more efficient numbers behind the first serve but struggled on the second after spraying 11 double faults! Nadal defended six of eight break points, keeping the pressure on the other side.

He suffered two breaks in sets three and four and added three return games to his tally, one in each set. Denis fired from all cylinders, landing 20 aces and over 50 winners. He tried to keep the points on his racquet but sprayed too many errors. Rafa tamed his strokes more efficiently, hitting more winners than unforced errors.

Shapovalov followed the legend's pace in the shortest and most advanced rallies, building a slight edge. However, Nadal erased it in the mid-range ones, dominating that area and earning the win. The Spaniard was off to a reliable start, dropping five points in his games in the opener. 

He grabbed a break at love in the fourth game after the Canadian's wild forehand. Thus, Nadal moved in front and landed a forehand winner for 4-1 after 19 minutes. Rafa held at 15 in the seventh game for 5-2 and wrapped up the first part of the duel with a service winner in game nine for 6-3 after 39 minutes. 

Denis returned a bit better in the second set, although he still missed break chances. Battling in front of Rod Laver himself, Nadal survived three deuces in the sixth game and locked the result at 3-3 before making a push on the return in the next one. 

The legend made a push on the return and clinched a break with a smash winner that sent him 4-3 in front. Rafa closed the eighth game with a service winner and generated a set point in the next one. The younger left-hander saved it with a forced error and held to prolong the action. 

Nadal served for the set at 5-4 and drew the rival's mistake, wrapping up the set 6-4 and forging a massive advantage after an hour and 39 minutes. Shapovalov served well in the third set and found the rhythm on the return to extend the battle and his chances. 

Rafa denied two break points in the sixth game, taking four straight points and keeping the initial shot intact. Nadal served to stay in the set at 4-5 and got broken at 15, allowing Shapovalov to land a backhand crosscourt winner and extend the match after two and a half hours. 

The 22-year-old clinched another return game at 2-1 in the fourth set. Nadal hit a costly double fault and lost serve, decreasing his level after playing well in the opening two sets. Denis served for the set against the struggling opponent at 5-3 and faced two break points. 

The Canadian saved them with winners. He converted a set point with a service winner, securing the set 6-3 and introducing a decider after three hours and 18 minutes. Rafa denied a break point in the first game of the final set with a powerful serve and held after a cracking volley winner.

Denis played a loose service game a few minutes later, spraying a backhand error and falling 2-0 behind. Shapovalov placed another backhand wide on a break point in the third game and squandered the second after Nadal's powerful serve. The Spaniard held, cementing the break and moving 3-0 in front. 

The Canadian netted a routine forehand in the fifth game, missing a chance to prolong it and falling 4-1 down. Rafa grabbed the seventh game with a service winner, opening a 5-2 gap and moving a game away from the finish line. Denis secured the eighth game with a service winner and needed a push on the return at 3-5. 

Instead, Nadal landed a service winner for two match points and welcomed the rival's loose volley on the first, celebrating a notable win and moving into the semi-final. Shapovalov angrily smashed his racquet, giving everything but ending his campaign in the last eight.