Rogers Cup: Nadal wins 'important' match v Marin Cilic to reach Semi Finals

Rafael Nadal celebrates his victory over Marin Cilic on Friday. Pic/AFP

Rafael Nadal recovered from a slow start, overcoming Marin Cilic 2-6, 6-4, 6-4 as the Spaniard's chase for a long-sought ATP Masters title on hardcourt heated up on Friday.

The World No. 1 reached the semi-finals in Toronto and will next face Russian Karen Khachanov, who beat Robin Haase 6-3, 6-1. Nadal last won a title at this level on cement in 2013. "It was a very important match for me," Nadal said. "Being in semi-finals is great news at the start of the hard court season. And winning three good matches in the first Master 1000, it's so important for me. He played unstoppable in the first set. I resisted, I played with the right tactic. I tried to find my solutions but it was so difficult."

Stefanos Tsitsipas saved two match points to beat defending champion Alexander Zverev in their quarter-final contest 3-6, 7-6 (13/11), 6-4. The Greek teenager, who turns 20 on Sunday's final day, defeated his third straight top 10 opponent at the tournament after knocking out Dominic Thiem in the second round and 13-time major winner Novak Djokovic in the third. Tsitsipas is the youngest to post three top 10 wins at a single tournament since Nadal at Monte Carlo in 2006.

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