'Amazing that Rafael Nadal could do what Roger Federer did' - John McEnroe hails Australian Open feats

Rafael Nadal could emulate his great rival, Roger Federer, by completing his 'amazing' comeback from injury at the Australian Open, according to John McEnroe. Nadal was forced into five gruelling sets by Denis Shapovalov, but the 20-time Grand Slam champion ultimately showed the greater desire to outlast his doughty opponent and sealed his place in his 36th major semi-final in four hours and 10 minutes. Ad/> The Spanish star is now through to the semi-finals at Melbourne Park for the seventh time in his illustrious career after battling past the Canadian, 6-3 6-4 4-6 3-6 6-3, despite being ranted at for time-wasting by his opponent in a fiery exchange which involved the umpire being accused of being «corrupt».

Australian Open‘I'm not 21 anymore’ — Nadal relieved to have two days off before semi-finalAN HOUR AGO Federer famously roared back from an extended injury hiatus to clinch the title in Melbourne in 2017, also taking the crown in 2018, and McEnroe believes that Nadal could be on course to pull off a similarly spectacular comeback of his own this year. «Just when you think Rafa has got nothing left he pulls something out of his bag of tricks,» McEnroe told Eurosport in the Cube. «He managed himself so well.

Obviously, the heat was getting to him, Shapovalov was playing as well as I’ve seen him play. How he can pace himself, and then get his energy up early in the fifth set, is incredible. »Shapovalov swings through the fences, goes for broke; he got a little bit wild early in the fifth and that really cost him.