Considering their last meeting, in which Pablo Cuevas pushed Rafael Nadal to three sets in a match also played on clay this year, this encounter was an intriguing prospect. While it was unlikely Cuevas would do what he failed to do in February and pull off the upset, if he played his best it could have been a close match. Sadly, Cuevas seemingly never reached his full potential and Nadal triumphed in an under whelming one hour 12 minutes.
Nadal wins lackluster first set
Cuevas began the match shakily, with a double fault helping Nadal gain three break points. He managed to claw his way back to deuce, but some tactical play from Nadal saw the world number ten break to lead 1-0. Nadal’s serve – the part of his game that needed the most improvement from his match against previous opponent Jiri Vesely – was still patchy, however following the early break both players held twice apiece, 3-2.
More rusty play from Nadal on serve gave Cuevas three break points, and the underdog leveled the match at 3-3 on his second chance with a wayward Nadal forehand. Two double faults and a forehand wide from Cuevas gifted the break lead back to the Spaniard. Nadal held again for 5-3 to consolidate the break with the best point of what had been a disappointing match, ending with him flicking a forehand cross court pass winner at the net. Finally, Nadal wrapped up the set with a great return of serve in 42 minutes.
Nadal starts to find form to take second
Nadal began the set with a love hold, but Cuevas was unfazed and held his own serve with relative ease. The level of tennis was elevated from that of the first set, with the Spaniard’s forehand finding spots closer to the lines and falling deeper in the court, and Cuevas making less unforced errors - the next game featured a traditional Nadal “banana” forehand down the line, a true sign that the match quality had improved. This helped him set up two break point opportunities, which he took the first of by coming to the net and firing a backhand past Cuevas. Some clever net tactics saw Nadal consolidate the break and lead 4-1.
Cuevas was not disheartened however, and started his next service game with a scorching forehand down the line before holding to love. Nadal’s service game began with a heavy rally that involved him slipping on the red dust halfway through but he was not put off – another love hold and he looked to be truly in command of the match. The nerves of serving to stay in the match seemed to affect Cuevas, as a double fault to start and a slight disagreement over a late call helped give Nadal three match points.
A netted forehand off the Nadal return sealed the match for the top seed, 6-3, 6-2 in one hour and 12 minutes. Cuevas’ six double faults and numerous unforced errors were the aspects of his game that let him down today; Nadal’s level was not high but with only ten unforced errors to Cuevas’ 27, he was never truly troubled.
Nadal's semifinal opponent
Nadal’s next opponent is Italian fourth seed Andreas Seppi, who is through to the semifinals after his compatriot Simone Bolelli withdrew from their match today with gastroenteritis. The pair have met on six previous occasions with Nadal winning five, including both of their previous clay encounters.
Although Seppi is a consistent top 40 player and has had notable results (such as defeating Roger Federer at the Australian Open this year), the one win Seppi has over Nadal came seven years ago in 2008. Seppi has never taken a set off Nadal on clay, and it’s difficult to envision he’ll change that tomorrow. However, if Nadal doesn’t serve well once again and Seppi plays on top form, it’ll be a very interesting match.