http://www.sportsnet.ca/tennis/2013/03/ ... emifinals/
March 1, 2013, 2:23 am
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
ACAPULCO, Mexico -- Rafael Nadal beat Leonardo Mayer in straight sets on Thursday to reach the semifinals of the Mexican Open, setting up a meeting with Spanish compatriot Nicolas Almagro.
The second-seeded Nadal won 6-1, 7-5 as the former top-ranked player continues his comeback from a long-term knee injury and builds toward the French Open.
Third-seeded Almagro also had a straight-sets win, defeating Horacio Zeballos 6-3, 6-4.
Top-seeded David Ferrer remained on track for a fourth straight Mexican Open title by breezing past Paolo Lorenzi 6-3, 6-1, notching his 18th consecutive win in this tournament.
Ferrer's semifinal opponent will be Italy's Fabio Fognini, who beat Santiago Giraldo 7-5, 6-4.
Nadal is making a comeback after being away from the tour for more than seven months with a left knee injury. He made the final of the VTR Open earlier this month in Chile before losing to Argentine Horacio Zeballos and a week later beat David Nalbandian to claim the Brazil Open title.
"So far I've played in three semifinals and that's fantastic news and it's even better because my three best games have been here," Nadal said.
"Now I feel like I have nothing to lose no matter what happens tomorrow. Either I will go on to play the final or I will go happy to play in another tournament knowing that the knee is responding better."
Nadal has good reason to be confident of beating Almagro, as he boasts an 8-0 record against his fellow Spaniard, yet the former No. 1 said his long absence from the tour must be taken into account.
"I don't feel as the favourite for tomorrow, it's been seven months without competing and I will be facing a great clay player," Nadal said. "I will do my best to play a great match to reach the final, it*s that clear."
On Tuesday, Nadal said he may pull out of next week's Indian Wells Masters in California to spare his fragile knees from the hard courts and save himself for the European clay season.
He didn't say whether he would also compete in the hardcourt Key Biscayne Masters, where he's reached the final three times, and which follows Indian Wells.
Poor Djokovic will never win Roland Garros.
Credit to Nadal's doctors. They called it to perfection. A month ago, Nadal was correctly told his pain would disappear by late February-
Q: What’s the predominant feeling today? Relieved to have been able to put an end to the forced stop, joy to be able to play again, stressed out of fear of not going to do well or fear of still hurting…?
Rafa: Fear? No. Stress, yes. That’s normal. I feel relieved and joyful, that’s certain. In fact, the theme of the moment is patience. I need to take it step by step and accept that I’m not going to be at my maximum level right away. I haven’t played in seven months. If I’m not humble, it’s not going to work. I’m not afraid because I know in what state my knee is in. Since three weeks, all the tests I have undergone have shown perfect results. The truth is that my left knee is in fantastic shape compared with the other one (laughs). I know now that if I run, I won’t risk torn tendons. That’s “importantissime”. The doctors have promised me that. So, it’s alright, no anxiety. Even if the tendon still gives me pain...
Q: Is that pain normal. Did the doctors warn you about it beforehand?
Rafa: Yes, they told me that it would disappear gradually. Normally, it should be gone by the end of February. I will regain my normal mobility on court. I just need to give my patellar tendon time to get used to intense efforts.
