Rafael Nadal and Karen Khachanov will be squaring off for the fourth time in their careers when they clash in the semifinals of the Rogers Cup on Saturday night.
Nadal is sweeping the head-to-head series 3-0 and has already completed the Khachanov slam with victories on a hard court, clay, and grass. The Spaniard prevailed 6-1, 6-4, 7-6(3) last summer at Wimbledon, 6-3, 6-3 a few months later in Beijing, and 6-3, 6-2 this spring in Monte-Carlo.
Nothing suggests the tide is suddenly going to turn in Khachanov’s favor–and it would have to turn in a major way to completely reverse a trio of lopsided, straight-set results. After all, Nadal is 38-3 for the season and 20-1 in his last 20 matches despite playing a handful of those away from his favorite surface. Bouncing back from a brutal Wimbledon semifinal setback against Novak Djokovic, the world No. 1 has advanced in Toronto with defeats of Benoit Paire, Stan Wawrinka, and Marin Cilic.
Khachanov’s 2018 campaign has been somewhat of a roller-coaster and the last two events have been no exception. The 22-year-old got clobbered 6-2, 6-3 in his Washington, D.C. opener by world No. 85 Denis Kudla only to right the ship in a hurry and make this run in Toronto with wins over Filip Krajinovic, Pablo Carreno Busta, John Isner, and Robin Haase. Khachanov has not surrendered a single set en route to his first career Masters 1000 semifinal appearance.
This is an unfamiliar stage for the 38th-ranked Russian, who is 2-12 against top 10 opponents (upsets of Isner and David Goffin), 0-6 against top-five foes, and 0-3 against world No. 1s. Nadal is simply too good and has too much experience in these situations.
Pick: Nadal in 2 losing more than 8 games
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Glad this is not a long drawn affair. Else fatigue could have played a role in the final tomorrow
This is the best Karen has ever played against Rafa, but Rafa did just enough. It’s a bit late. He’s probably tired with all the hanging around waiting for the rain to stop.
YES!! Rafa in the final!
Maybe the fireworks is to celebrate having their marquee player in the final. Imagine if the final was between Karen and Tsits.
I’m sure. But Tsitsi is developing fans PDQ. And if KK had won they’d be touting #NEXTGEN…
Rafa had a couple of tough matches vs Wawa and Cilic (tempted to call him Waawaaa). Glad tonight’s match was relatively straightforward.
Good luck to Rafa in the final! Then on to Cincy and #THISGEN with the Big Four together again at last.
Love the fireworks!
🎇
Rafa says it’s late, time to go to bed!
Good advice!
😀