London (AFP)

Rafael Nadal can still dream of a semi final at the Masters after his victory in three sets Friday against Stefanos Tsitsipas, 6-7 (4), 6-4, 7-5. But the continuation of his London adventure depends on the result of the last group match between Medvedev and Zverev.

This success of the Spaniard permanently eliminates Daniil Medvedev (N.4) on which Nadal (N.1) will yet count to beat in the evening the defending champion, the German Alexander Zverev (N.7).

If the Russian wins, the Spaniard finish at the top of the pool and challenge Saturday in the semi finals Roger Federer (N.3).

But in the event of a German victory, Tsitsipas, Nadal and Zverev would have two wins and one defeat, and Nadal would be the lowest of the three and eliminated.

Assured since Thursday night to remain N.1 world at the end of the season after the elimination of Novak Djokovic in two sets by Federer, Nadal runs after a first success in this competition that is missing in his huge record.

This match of almost three hours between the Greek and the Spaniard was a real showdown with exchanges that sometimes extended from the bottom of the course, even if the two opponents did not hesitate to conclude at the net rather with of success: 22 points won at net on 28 for Nadal and 15 on 21 for Tsitsipas.

Uncomfortable on their throw-in until the tie-break of the first set, it is finally the Greek, more mobile and more enterprising, with a little less waste than his opponent too, who has tipped this round in his favor (7-4) after nearly an hour of play.

Already returned from a desperate situation on Wednesday against Daniil Medvedev (1-5 and match ball against him in the third set, to finally win 7-6), Nadal has found himself back to the wall to avoid a defeat synonymous direct elimination.

The Spaniard has increased his pressure on the service of his opponent, in particular by moving the earned second service rate from 29% in the first set to 67% in the second.

He thus created the first two break points of the match in the 5th set of the second set, another seventh, but it was not until the fourth, at 4-4, that he took a decisive advantage and came back to the top ( 6-4).

The scenario of the last act looked like a twin to the previous one, with two break points in the fifth game, another in the 7th left on the way, before cracking the Greek on his second opportunity in the 11th game.

Nadal concluded the match with a forehand from his opponent who hooked the band and raised a raging fist synonymous with hope. He is now the number one supporter of Medvedev.

© 2019 AFP