WATCH Australian Open 2022 highlights: Rafael Nadal just one win away from a record 21st Grand Slam title

Former World Number one, Rafael Nadal outplayed Italy's Matteo Berrettini in a four-set battle to reach the final of Australian Open 2022 on Friday. In the first semifinal, which was played under a closed roof, the Spaniard made a mockery of Berrettini's backhand play as he won the first two sets 6-3, 6-2 easily. However, Berrettini make a mind-boggling comeback in the third set as Nadal tried to close out the rallies early, thus making too many unforced errors.

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In the fourth set, Berrettini threatened to break Nadal's service early but a 20-time grand slam champion survived the scare. Then the 34-year-old Nadal, broke Italian's service in the 8th game, finally winning the match 6-3, 6-2, 3-6, 6-3 at the Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne.

Nadal who is currently tied with Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer's record of 20 Grand Slams each and one more win in Melbourne will give the Spaniard a lead in that race.