Rafael Nadal storms back after rain delay to reach 11th semi-finals

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Europe

02:22

Ten-time French Open champion Rafael Nadal finally completed a 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 win over Argentina's Diego Schwartzman on Thursday.

The Spaniard had lost his first set at Roland Garros since 2015 to tricky Schwartzman before the rain saved him on Wednesday evening.

Nadal was serving at 5-3, 30-15 after having dropped the first set 6-4 when play was stopped Wednesday. He came back on court in full swing and took the second set 6-3.

Diego Schwartzman of Argentina reacts during the men's singles quarter finals match against Rafael Nadal of Spain during the 2018 French Open at Roland Garros on June 7, 2018 in Paris, France. /VCG Photo

The Spaniard raised his level when in danger, saving three break points in the eighth game of the third set with great shot-making, with Nadal taking the third set 6-2.

Then it was all Nadal in the fourth set, with match point claimed through a final vicious forehand.

A 6-2 win in the fourth saw Nadal clearly pumped up after his toughest match in some time at Roland Garros, putting him through to the semi-finals for the 11th time.

Nadal said "of course he's a tough opponent, and he's going to always be a tough match. But at the same time, I think after the first rain delay, the match changed a lot because I play more aggressive with higher intensity and the things were more on my side."

Juan Martin Del Potro of Argentina during the 2018 French Open at Roland Garros stadium on June 7, 2018 in Paris, France. /VCG Photo

Nadal will face fifth seed Juan Martin Del Potro in the semi-finals. Del Potro, whose career has been hampered by injuries, beat third-seeded Marin Cilic 7-6 (5), 5-7, 6-3, 7-5 and came back to the French Open’s semi-finals for the first time since 2009.