Rafael Nadal battled back from a set down to beat Marin Cilic and reach the semi-finals of the Rogers Cup in Toronto.
World number one Nadal, who was beaten by Cilic at this years Australia Open, lost the opener 6-2 but recovered well to take the final two sets 6-4.
Following the victory, Nadal insisted his defeat to Cilic in Melbourne was not on his mind as he closes in on a potential fifth Rogers Cup triumph.
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I never believe in revenge, Nadal, who lost to Novak Djokovic at last months Wimbledon, said. Its not because of Australian Open match, not at all.
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It was just because it is a very important match for me. Being in the semi-finals is great news at the start of the hard court season.
And winning three good matches in the first Master 1000 so yeah, so important for me.
A Nadal victory was far from certaint after Cilic made an electric start in the match and won the first set only dropping two games.
Nadal said Cilic was unstoppable during the opener and was pleased to weather the storm before mounting his comeback.
He added: Especially the way that he played in that first set was unstoppable, no? So I resisted. I play with the right tactics.
I tried to find my solutions, but it was so, so difficult. So thats why it was an important celebration. It means a lot to me to be in the semi-finals.
I practiced with him a couple of times last year, and I felt that he was not playing that well. This year, since the beginning of the season, hes playing fantastic.
Defending champion Alexander Zverev, meanwhile, said his quarter-final match with Stefanos Tsitsipas was absolutely pathetic.
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Tsitsipas, who turns 20 on Sunday, stunned Wimbledon champion Novak Djokovic in the previous round and came through to beat Zverev in three sets.
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I dont think he played that well, Zverev said. I think the match was absolutely pathetic on all levels.
Im very honest with you guys. Today was an absolute pathetic match I dont even think he played well.
MORE: Djokovic snaps racquet in half during shock Rogers Cup defeat
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Rafael Nadal battled back from a set down to beat Marin Cilic and reach the semi-finals of the Rogers Cup in Toronto.
World number one Nadal, who was beaten by Cilic at this years Australia Open, lost the opener 6-2 but recovered well to take the final two sets 6-4.
Following the victory, Nadal insisted his defeat to Cilic in Melbourne was not on his mind as he closes in on a potential fifth Rogers Cup triumph.
More: Tennis
I never believe in revenge, Nadal, who lost to Novak Djokovic at last months Wimbledon, said. Its not because of Australian Open match, not at all.
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It was just because it is a very important match for me. Being in the semi-finals is great news at the start of the hard court season.
And winning three good matches in the first Master 1000 so yeah, so important for me.
A Nadal victory was far from certaint after Cilic made an electric start in the match and won the first set only dropping two games.
Nadal said Cilic was unstoppable during the opener and was pleased to weather the storm before mounting his comeback.
He added: Especially the way that he played in that first set was unstoppable, no? So I resisted. I play with the right tactics.
I tried to find my solutions, but it was so, so difficult. So thats why it was an important celebration. It means a lot to me to be in the semi-finals.
I practiced with him a couple of times last year, and I felt that he was not playing that well. This year, since the beginning of the season, hes playing fantastic.
Defending champion Alexander Zverev, meanwhile, said his quarter-final match with Stefanos Tsitsipas was absolutely pathetic.
More: Tennis
Tsitsipas, who turns 20 on Sunday, stunned Wimbledon champion Novak Djokovic in the previous round and came through to beat Zverev in three sets.
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I dont think he played that well, Zverev said. I think the match was absolutely pathetic on all levels.
Im very honest with you guys. Today was an absolute pathetic match I dont even think he played well.
MORE: Djokovic snaps racquet in half during shock Rogers Cup defeat
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