Rafael Nadal Reaches Bastad Open Semi-Finals After Four-Hour Marathon

Rafael Nadal fought into the semi-finals of the Bastad Open on Friday as he defeated Argentina's Mariano Navone 6-7 (2/7), 7-5, 7-5 in three hours and 59 minutes.  The 22-time Grand Slam champion is through to the last four of a tournament for the first time since Wimbledon two years ago. "It was very close, long and tiring," said Nadal, whose near four-hour victory was the second longest three-set match of his career -- after the 2009 Madrid semi-final against Novak Djokovic, which lasted 4hr 3min. "For moments he was in control. For moments I was in control. At the end, no one was in control. That's the truth," added Nadal.

"I was able to hold physically till the end. Let's see how I am tomorrow. Today I'm alive and I'm in the semi-finals. So that's super important."

Nadal had to overcome a poor start against the fast-rising Navone, now ranked 36th in the world after beginning the year outside the top 100. 

He dropped serve three times in a row against an opponent who became the first man in the Open era to be seeded in his maiden Grand Slam appearance at this year's French Open.

The Spaniard trailed 4-1 and was down a double break but battled his way back into the set, saving two set points in the 10th game before eventually moving 6-5 ahead.

Nadal himself had two set points as Navone served to stay in it, the fourth seed showing his mettle to force a tie-break in which he won the first five points to take charge.

Navone secured the first set when Nadal sprayed a forehand wide, but the Spaniard quickly regrouped and raced into a 3-0 lead in set two.

His advantage was swiftly erased though by Navone who pocketed four games on the spin before Nadal stopped the rot.

Navone held to put the pressure back on Nadal, the 2005