VIDEO: Rafael Nadal unleashes insane shot against Hyeon Chung at Barcelona Open
Rafael Nadal has been in brilliant form in the 2017 season, and this year achieved a long-coming feat – his tenth title at the Monte Carlo Masters with a win over compatriot Albert Ramos-Vinolas.
Now, the former World No. 1 is having just as dominant a run at the Barcelona Open in his home country, where he is through to the semi-finals without having dropped a set.
But the Spanish ace was perhaps most taxed by one of his youngest competitors, Korean Hyeon Chung, who took him to a tiebreak in the first set before eventually losing the tiebreaker and the second set.
Nadal has always been known – and respected for his immense reflexes, and this year, following a serious lull in 2015, has appeared more invincible than any other player on tour. The World No. 6 has faced a number of big opponents this year, most notably his longtime rival Roger Federer. The pair’s matchup at the finals of the Australian Open earned Federer his record-extending 18th Grand Slam title.
At his quarter-final against Hyeon Chung, however, Nadal was at his flexible, agile best, reacting to shots with lighting speed. On this occasion, up 2-0 in the tiebreak, Nadal came into the net to flummox Chung, who returned effectively. Still at the net, Nadal came up with a completely non-regulation, and not-seen-before move to send in a return that just about made the other side of the net – leaving no chance for Chung to return.
Just about wiggling his racquet to make the shot, Nadal earned the title of ‘Jedi’ for his astonishing reflexes.