‘I'm not 21 anymore’ - Rafael Nadal relieved to have two days off after being ‘completely destroyed’ in QF win

Rafael Nadal says he is looking forward to two days rest after he played out a five-set epic against Denis Shapovalov in the quarter-final of the Australian Open. The 20-time Grand Slam winner eventually overcame the Canadian 14th seed 6-3 6-4 4-6 3-6 6-3 on Rod Laver Arena and will now face Gael Monfils or Matteo Berrettini in the last four. Ad/> The 35-year-old Spaniard will have a two-day break before that match and he told on-court interviewer Jim Courier that he was very much in need of the respite following an intense match.

Australian Open'You guys are all corrupt!' — Shapovalov in furious rant at Nadal and umpire3 HOURS AGO «I was completely destroyed after that,» he said. «It was very tough and very warm, Honestly I didn't practise for it. I was a little bit lucky at the beginning of the fifth.

I think at the beginning of the match I was playing great then I know how difficult it is to play a play like Denis. He is very talented. For me it is amazing to be in the semi-finals.» The 2009 Australian Open winner added to Courier after the match that he had endured some issues with his stomach during the encounter.

«I started to feel not very well in my stomach so I asked if they could do something. They went inside and took the tension. They just checked that everything was alright with my body and then I took some tablets to try and improve the stomach problem I had.