<p>Nine-time champion Rafael Nadal dispatched his Madrid Masters slayer Alexander Zverev 6-3, 6-4 to reach the Italian Open semi-finals on Friday.</p>.<p>Second-seed Nadal had lost to Zverev in the Madrid last-eight last week.</p>.<p>But the 34-year-old Spaniard shook off his marathon 3hr 30min quarter-final battle past Denis Shapovalov where he needed to save two match points.</p>.<p>Nadal powered to 4-0 before sixth seed Zverev held serve with the 20-time Grand Slam winner saving break point to take the first set.</p>.<p>The German rallied in the second set but Nadal saved eight break points to seal victory on his first match point after two hours.</p>.<p>Nadal plays American Reilly Opelka for a place in the final for an 11th time as he warms up for the French Open starting on May 30.</p>.<p>Opelka, ranked 47, reached his first Masters semi-final with a 7-5, 7-6 (7/2) win over Argentine qualifier Federico Delbonis.</p>
<p>Nine-time champion Rafael Nadal dispatched his Madrid Masters slayer Alexander Zverev 6-3, 6-4 to reach the Italian Open semi-finals on Friday.</p>.<p>Second-seed Nadal had lost to Zverev in the Madrid last-eight last week.</p>.<p>But the 34-year-old Spaniard shook off his marathon 3hr 30min quarter-final battle past Denis Shapovalov where he needed to save two match points.</p>.<p>Nadal powered to 4-0 before sixth seed Zverev held serve with the 20-time Grand Slam winner saving break point to take the first set.</p>.<p>The German rallied in the second set but Nadal saved eight break points to seal victory on his first match point after two hours.</p>.<p>Nadal plays American Reilly Opelka for a place in the final for an 11th time as he warms up for the French Open starting on May 30.</p>.<p>Opelka, ranked 47, reached his first Masters semi-final with a 7-5, 7-6 (7/2) win over Argentine qualifier Federico Delbonis.</p>