Four-time French Open champion Rafael Nadal fought hard to see off his Spanish compatriot Nicolas Almagro in straight sets in the men's singles quarterfinals at the French Open on Wednesday.
The 19th seed Almagro gave enough pressure to the world No. 2 Nadal, although he lost both of the first two sets in tie breaks, first in 7-2 and the second in 7-3.
In the third set, Almagro surrendered his serve until the ninth game due to his own unforced errors, then having to accept Nadal's celebration in 6-4.
"I am very happy how I played the tiebreaks. I played very aggressive, very focused and in important moments," said Nadal.
Spain's Rafael Nadal celebrates during game against compatriot Nicolas Almagro in their men's quarter-final in the French Open tennis championship at the Roland Garros stadium. Nadal won 7-6 (7/2), 7-6 (7/3), 6-4.
The Spaniard is going to meet Jurgen Melzer in the semifinals as the Austrian came from two sets down to edge the third seed Novak Djokovic from Serbia in 3-6, 2-6, 6-2, 7-6 (3), 6-4.
"He's playing unbelievable. He played against David Ferrer, I saw him in the match," Nadal commented on his next opponent. "Today is a big comeback against Djokovic playing high level. I saw him in the end of the match playing very aggressive, serving well."
Nadal tasted his first blow at Roland Garros last year as the four consecutive title winner was knocked out by Swedish Robin Soderling in the fourth round.
One year later, Soderling played the role of giant killer again as he ousted world No. 1 and defending champion Roger Federer in the quarterfinals on Tuesday.
"I think that he's more solid from a mental perspective. He's won many matches, so he's capitalized with regards to confidence. He had a very good game level, but he lacked confidence. Now he has that confidence," Nadal talked about Soderling.
Nadal didn't want to imagine a possible final between him and Soderling. "I am in semifinals against Melzer. It will be a very difficult match. So I am focusing on that match right now."
But the second seed insisted that he had never thought about making revenge.
"When I go on court, I don't think if I lost last time is gonna be revenge. I never go by this way. I think if you think of that, you think this way, your mind is not 100 percent calm to think what you have to do."
The fifth seed Soderling will face Tomas Berdych from the Czech Republic in the other semifinal.