Nadal stays perfect in 2022 by holding off Alcaraz in Indian Wells semi-finals

ATP Indian Wells Masters 1000 | Results | Schedule

No matter the circumstances, Rafael Nadal just can’t lose in 2022. At least not yet. Nadal not only had to deal with a red-hot Carlos Alcaraz in the BNP Paribas Open semi-finals but also borderline unplayable wind gusts. But none of that ended up mattering, as the 35-year-old withstood everything that was thrown at him and outlasted Alcaraz 6-4, 4-6, 6-3 after three hours and 12 minutes on Saturday evening.

Alcaraz jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the opening set, but Nadal promptly reeled off four straight games to take control. The wind picked up in set two, and so did Alcaraz’s game — aside from his serve. In part due to the crazy conditions, there were five service breaks in a row. Three of those went to the world No. 19, who at 4-4 won a marathon seven-deuce game that featured a total of seven break points.

Alcaraz : “In the third set we played really good tennis”

That set the stage for a decider, in which the quality of tennis improved as the wind died down. A final turning point came with Nadal serving at 2-2, when he saved three more break points and managed to hold with some impeccable net play. Continuing to inch ahead in the set each time he served, the 21-time Grand Slam champion eventually broke Alcaraz at 4-3. That allowed Nadal to serve for the match, which he did successfully at love.

“The atmosphere was amazing,” Alcaraz commented. “In the third set we played really good tennis, I think both (of us). In the first set I had to be more calm; I played really nervous. But, yeah, I (will) learn from this. The next time I will play more calm, more [relaxed]. If you are playing with Rafa, you have to be calm — you have to think well in the tough moments. That’s what I learned in this match.”

“Crazy conditions in the second” (Nadal)

Still, Alcaraz played pretty much as well as he could — especially considering the conditions. And Nadal only had praise for his 18-year-old countryman.

“I think he started playing amazing; it was so difficult to stop him,” the world No. 4 said. “In the second the conditions became crazy; it was so difficult, everything. In the third I think I played much better; I tried to be more aggressive. I am super happy to be in the final; it means a lot to me.”

It probably means even more for his Sunday opponent. Next up for Nadal is California native Taylor Fritz, who will be playing in his first-ever Masters 1000 title match after beating Andrey Rublev 7-5, 6-4 in the semis.

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