By Richard Pagliaro | Friday, March 18, 2016
Rafael Nadal overcame a slow start to roll past Kei Nishikori, 6-4, 6-3, into the Indian Wells semifinals.
Photo credit: Michael Cummo/BNP Paribas Open
Squinting into a high sun to locate his ball toss, Rafael Nadal stared back at the court to face some familiar problems.
One point from falling into a 1-4 deficit, Nadal found himself pushed around by a precise Kei Nishikori.
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The three-time Indian Wells champion didn't panic, he got passionate.
Quickening his footwork, striking with more depth and competing with high energy and fierce intensity, Nadal responded ripping control right out of Nishikori's hands.
Defending brilliantly, stepping in to attack second serves and unloading on some disruptive running forehands, Nadal completely turned the match around posting one of his most impressive wins of the season, 6-4, 6-3 to roar into the Indian Wells semifinals.
It is Nadal's first win over a Top 40 player this season and puts him one win away from a fifth BNP Paribas Open final.
"The first set was very important," Nadal told ESPN's Brad Gilbert afterward. "Down 15-40, double break (point) for 1-4 I think that was a key moment. After that I started to play higher balls, lower balls and I think I changed the rhythm of the match."
The 14-time Grand Slam champion served 88 percent, used the body serve effectively at times and took his cracks at Nishikori's second serve: Nadal won 17 of 27 points played on Nishikori's serve, beating the Japanese for the eighth time in nine meetings.
It is Nadal's fourth semifinal in five tournaments this year.
The 27-time Masters champion will face world No. 1 Novak Djokovic for a spot in Sunday's final. Reigning champion Djokovic defeated seventh-seeded Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 7-6 (2), 7-6 (2).
The top-seeded Serbian has won five in a row against Nadal, including a 6-1, 6-2 thrashing in the Doha final in January. Nadal has not beaten Djokovic since the 2014 Roland Garros quarterfinal.
Saving a match point in his fourth-round win over former junior world No. 1 Alexander Zverev, Nadal showed his survival skills. Today's match turned on his ability to adjust, anticipation and fighting spirit.
Nerves gnawed at the Spaniard at the start.
Nadal netted a pair of forehands then made an ill-advised run forward nudging a half-volley into net to face break point. The fourth seed saved it, then denied a second break point handling a tricky low forehand with aggression to escape a demanding opening game.
A backhand winner down the line backed up by a crisp backhand volley winner gave Nishikori a couple more break points in the third game.
When Nadal put a backhand into net, Nishikori earned his fifth break point. Pinning the three-time champion behind the baseline, Nishikori drew a forehand error, breaking for 2-1.
Taking the ball on the rise and finishing with authority down the line, Nishikori outclassed Nadal in the early stages, exploiting the Spaniard's spinney short balls.
Jerking his opponent forward with a drop shot, Nishikori had double break point in the fifth game and a clear pass on break point but put a forehand into net. Nadal saved two more break points navigating a challenging hold for 2-3 in a game that was revitalizing.
That stand roused Rafa, who was seeping sweat by then and generating a higher bounce on his topspin forehand to drag his opponent off the court at times. Thumping twisting topspin, Nadal broke back then stamped a routine hold at 15 for 4-3.
Nadal hooked a curling 86 mph forehand winner down the line drawing gasps from some fans, a fist pump from Indian Wells owner and Nadal fan Larry Ellison and double-set point.
Transitioning quickly from defense to offense helped Nadal turned the set around. In full flight on set point, Nadal made two tremendous forehand digs, spun a pass to stretch his opponent, then blocked a forehand volley past Nishikori. Snatching a first set that saw him steamrolled at the start, Nadal left a dazed Nishikori staring down at his shoelaces and an engaged crowd roaring in his ears.
Casting concerned glances toward his coaches, Michael Chang and Dante Bottini, Nishikori was stunned by a 90 mph return that buzzed by him for break point. Trying a surprise serve-and-volley, Nishikori was handcuffed by a dipping backhand return. Nadal broke for 2-0.
When the world No. 5 grinded through a sweaty hold, stretching the lead to 3-0 after an hour of play, Nishikori flung his racquet aside in frustration of a match completely slipping from his grip.
By then, Nadal was defending with vigor, unleashing his forehand with ferocity and looking hungry for more in reeling off eight of the last nine games. Nishikori dodged a break point, stalling his free-fall to hold for 1-3.
The 2014 US Open finalist wasn't finished. Nishikori saved a break point then stretched Nadal with a pair of spinning forehands, breaking back for 3-4.
Nothing would deny Nadal on this day. He broke right back with a shout for 5-3.
Serving for the match, Nadal slid his second ace down the middle for 15-30. On match point, Nadal fired a forehand winner down the line and erupted with a flying fist pump an exuberant end to a revitalizing 93-minute triumph.