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
[polldaddy poll=10077760]
Rafa is battling. I posted the serve stats. Not great. But this guy is trying to push Rafa back behind the baseline with sheer raw power. I expect it to help that Rafa won the first set.
This guy is not Cilic.
Rafa leads by 1 set and a break.
Yes! Rafa gets the break!
Thank goodness Rafa holds to consolidate the break!
Hopefully, he’ll get another break as insurance.
The shot of the match. DTL forehand from Rafa!
Yes please Rafa get another break!
Ooh that cc backhand!
Oh crap! I so wanted Rafaxto get that second break!
I was so upset that I messed up Rafa’s name!
I don’t think Rafa is playing well, but I guess who cares as long as he is winning
Rafa is not playing great but he is coming up with the shots when he needs them. He is winning on his mental strength and will to win and tactical adjustments.
not playing bad
Rafa needs to hold his serve two more times and he is in the final.
one more
No, Rafa is not on fire, but he’s doing enough, so far.
One more game, Rafa! Pllleeeezzzze!
Yeessss!!Wooohooo!!…To the final we go!!
I did not say he’s playing bad. I said not great. He is doing enough so far. He just has to serve this out now. Hold your serve Rafa!
GSM, Nadal. 76 64
Yes!!! Wahooooo! Rafa serves it out in style!!! 40 – 0
Wheee, fireworks to match Rafa’s shirt!
Ohohohoho!!….Fireworks for Rafa!!….Hehehe…Is it normal to have a fireworks on semis??Maybe it’s a culture in Canada!…Hehehe