Tennis:Rafael Nadal barged past a stubborn Nicolas Almagro in straight sets to reach the semi-final of the French Open. The second seed, bidding to win back the trophy he held for four years before stumbling 12 months ago, was forced to go toe-to-toe with his fellow Spaniard for two hours and 35 minutes before winning 7-6 7-6 6-4 .
Nadal lost the opening three games against Almagro who used his heavy backhand to great effect but he recovered and managed to raise his game at the vital moments of each set.
Almagro threw everything at the former world number one who he had never beaten before but finally cracked, hitting a backhand long on match point to send Nadal into the last four.
He will now meet Jurgen Melzer after he came from two sets down to beat number three seed Novak Djokovic in a marathon clash.
After four hours and 15 minutes of intense battle, number 22 seed Melzer eventually triumphed 3-6 2-6 6-2 7-6 (7-3) 6-4 as Djokovic, who has claimed to be suffering from hayfever-like symptoms, faded.
After narrowly missing his chance to win the match in the fourth set, Djokovic was up 3-2 in the fifth as it went to serve in the early stages.
Djokovic then had the chance to break Melzer and take a potentially decisive lead, but Melzer hit an outstanding drop shot to save the point.
Djokovic went 4-3 up, but Melzer smashed an ace to tie it once again.
The Austrian then stole the initiative with a forehand down the line that made it 30-0 but, as he has done all tournament, he failed twice on break point before eventually taking his third opportunity as Djokovic’s volley hit the net.
Melzer got to match point only to dump a routine volley into the net and allow Djokovic to take it to deuce.
A tense battle followed, but Melzer won on his third match point as Djokovic’s return went long. The 29-year-old Melzer is through to his first Grand Slam semi-final.