Rafael Nadal marched into the final of the Austra-lian Open to be just one match away from becoming the all-time men’s Grand Slam leader after overcom-ing Matteo Berrettini in their semi-final on Friday.
The 35-year-old Spanish great, seeded sixth, was too solid for the Italian seventh seed, winning 6-3, 6-2, 3-6, 6-3 in two hours 55 minutes, and will face either Daniil Medvedev or Stefanos Tsitsipas in Sunday’s final.
Nadal is level on 20 majors with his golden-era rivals Novak Djokovic, who was deported on the eve of the tournament, and Roger Federer, who is absent with injury.
It gives the Spaniard an opportunity to go clear at the top and add to his lone 2009 Melbourne Park crown in his sixth Australian Open final. “For me it’s all about the Australian Open more than anything else, it’s an amazing event,” Nadal said.
“I have been a little unlucky during my career with some injuries and I played in some amazing finals here with some good chances against Novak in 2012 and Roger in 2017, I was close a couple of times.—AP
