Rafael Nadal is into the Melbourne Summer Set semi-finals following Tallon Griekspoor's withdrawal due to a foot injury.
This is the Spaniard's first tournament since last year's Citi Open in Washington. The World No. 6, who was dealing with a left foot injury, defeated Ricardas Berankis 6-2, 7-5 on Thursday in the Round of 16.
Nadal will next play Finland's Emil Ruusuvuori, with whom he trained earlier in the week. The 22-year-old posted a clip of their session on social media, eliciting a comment from colleague Dominik Koepfer: "Toying with him."
Ruusuovuori replied, "I wish??."
Finland's top player advanced to the semi-finals with a 6-2, 6-1 victory against 24-year-old Alex Molcan. Ruusuvuori saved the two break points he faced to triumph after 68 minutes.
This will be the World No. 95's first ATP Head2Head clash against Nadal, who is pursuing his 88th tour-level title. The Spaniard last lifted a trophy at last year's Internazionali BNL d'Italia in Rome.
This is the Spaniard's first tournament since last year's Citi Open in Washington. The World No. 6, who was dealing with a left foot injury, defeated Ricardas Berankis 6-2, 7-5 on Thursday in the Round of 16.
Nadal will next play Finland's Emil Ruusuvuori, with whom he trained earlier in the week. The 22-year-old posted a clip of their session on social media, eliciting a comment from colleague Dominik Koepfer: "Toying with him."
Ruusuovuori replied, "I wish??."
Finland's top player advanced to the semi-finals with a 6-2, 6-1 victory against 24-year-old Alex Molcan. Ruusuvuori saved the two break points he faced to triumph after 68 minutes.
This will be the World No. 95's first ATP Head2Head clash against Nadal, who is pursuing his 88th tour-level title. The Spaniard last lifted a trophy at last year's Internazionali BNL d'Italia in Rome.