Tennis: Nadal edges closer to ATP history at Barcelona Open

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Rafael Nadal held off Jan-Lennard Struff of Germany 7-5, 7-5 in the Barcelona Open quarter-finals on Friday to move closer to setting an ATP record as the first player to win the same event 12 times.

The home favorite must first get through a Saturday semifinal between 2017 finalist Dominic Thiem of Austria, who crushed Argentine Guido Pella 7-5, 6-2.

"It's difficult to face someone for the first time," Spain's 17-time Grand Slam champion said.

"It was important that my serve was solid today. I'm feeling better in my game and hope to keep improving here at home."

Nadal is regaining his swagger after losing last weekend in the Monte Carlo semis to Italy's Fabio Fognini.

Japan's Kei Nishikori returns the ball during his Barcelona Open tennis match against Spain's Roberto Carballes Baena in Barcelona, Spain, April 26, 2019. /VCG Photo

Japan's two-time champion Kei Nishikori won a slugfest with Spain's Roberto Carballes Baena 6-4, 7-5 to move into a Barcelona semi for the fourth time.

Nishikori, the winner in 2014 and 2015, served out for victory after his 104th-ranked opponent slipped in the penultimate game and appeared to strain a right thigh muscle.

Source(s): AFP