ATP Paris: Rafael Nadal downs Pablo Carreno Busta to reach semis

World no. 2 Rafael Nadal is through to his fifth Paris Masters semi-final, beating Pablo Carreno Busta 4-6, 7-5, 6-1 in two hours and 13 minutes. It was the 389th Masters 1000 victory for Rafa and the seventh over Pablo in as many encounters, making a slow start and raising his level to advance into the last four. Nadal saved four out of five break chances and produced three breaks when it mattered the most to pass another obstacle on the title course. Rafa took only five points on the return in the opening set, losing serve in game seven and not matching Pablo's pace in the shortest and most extended rallies. Nadal closed the opening games with winners from his volley and a backhand before Carreno Busta added his name on the scoreboard with a service winner in game two. Serving at 1-1, Rafa fended off a break chance with a forehand crosscourt winner, bringing it home after three deuces and another mighty forehand that stayed out of Pablo's reach.

The younger Spaniard produced a quick hold in game four with four winners before Nadal wrapped up game five with a service winner to remain in front. Acting strong behind the initial shot, Pablo closed the sixth game and secured the first break a few minutes later when Rafa netted a loose forehand. Gaining momentum, Carreno Busta fired a service winner to clinch the eighth game at love and extend the advantage, bringing the opening set home with a forehand crosscourt winner after 41 minutes. Facing the ultimate test at the beginning of the second set, Nadal erased three break chances in the first game, winning five straight points to avoid an early setback. Pablo won the second game with another service winner before Rafa landed an ace down the T line to move 2-1 in front. An ace pushed the 20-time Major champion 3-2 ahead, playing another poor return game to keep the rival on the positive side of the scoreboard.

Rafael Nadal is through to his fifth Paris Masters semi-final.

Finding the rhythm behind the initial shot, Nadal placed an ace down the T line to clinch the seventh game, earning his first break chances in the next one despite being 40-0 down. Remaining focused, Pablo saved them both to escape and level the score at 4-4, moving closer to the finish line. In his fourth consecutive commanding hold, Nadal moved 5-4 up, forcing Carreno Busta to serve for staying in the set. The younger Spaniard was the player on a mission, hitting another service winner to take that tenth game and mount the pressure on the other side of the net. Doing his part of the job, Rafa cracked an ace down the T line for a hold at love in game 11, hoping for more chances on the return in the next one. A forehand winner earned the set point for Nadal, who cracked another one to claim the set and force a decider.

Unlike the opener, Rafa now had a small edge in the shortest and mid-range rallies, doing enough with that late break to remain in contention. From 30-0 down in the first game of the final set, Nadal found his A-game to avoid the danger and deliver a hold. Pablo saved two break chances in game two, forcing a mistake from Rafa to remain on the positive side. Starting all over, Nadal grabbed the third game with an unreturned serve and stole Carreno Busta's serve at love with a backhand winner that sent him 3-1 up. A former finalist locked the fifth game at love with an ace, taking another big step towards the finish line when he seized a break in game six and moved 5-1 in front. Serving for the victory, Rafa sealed the deal with a forehand down the line winner, delivering another victory and staying on the title course.

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/2GBflGL