It’s only been two months since Rafael Nadal and Mardy Fish stood across the net from each other in a ATP match.
Japan Open Results: Rafael Nadal, Mardy Fish Both Advance To Semifinals
But they’ll meet again in the semifinals of the Japan Open.
The No. 1 tournament seed Nadal advanced to the round of four after defeating World No. 53 Santiago Giraldo of Columbia, 7-6 (8-6), 6-3. Nadal is the tournament’s defending champion.
Fish, the tournament’s fourth seed, had to go three sets against unseeded Australian Bernard Tomic. Fish held on for the win, 6-7 (5-7), 6-4, 6-1.
The match between the American and the Spaniard will take place Sunday at noon. The last time Fish and Nadal met was in Cincinnati in August 2011. Fish was the victor in the match, but Nadal had walked away with the win in the duos six previous meetings.
A win for Fish could help him get into the year-end ATP Tour Finals in London in late November.
“London is the main goal at the end of the year,” said the 29-year-old American. “I’ve never made it before and I desperately want to, that’s no secret. I’m in great position. It’s been a great tournament so far, I feel like I have some work to do. Still great opportunities to add some more points to the race, next week as well.”
As for the other side of the bracket, Spain’s David Ferrer will meet the winner of the David Nalbandian/Andy Murray quarterfinals match.
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