World No 2 wins 6-4, 4-6, 6-2 to book place in semisNadal will play Medvedev; Thiem v Djokovic or ZverevChampions love to beat champions. And
Rafael Nadal, who has seen it all at 34, could not disguise his joy after beating the ebullient young incumbent, Stefanos Tsitsipas, 6-4, 4-6, 6-2, on Thursday night to move to within two wins of lifting only the second indoor hardcourt title of his career.
Although nobody since the event’s 1970 inauguration can match his run of 16 qualifications in a row at the various iterations of the ATP Tour Finals, the man without peer on clay has made six semi-finals and two finals in 10 attempts without getting his hands on the season-ending prize.
Roger Federer has won six times, and
Novak Djokovic five.