Shapovalov is 19 years and 27 days old
Nadal was 19 years and 138 days old when he became the youngest semi-finalist at the tournament in 2005.
The Spaniard overcame Radek Stepanek in the quarters before seeing off Robby Ginepri in the semis.
Nadal then pulled off a stunning fightback in the final, coming from two sets down to beat Ivan Ljubicic in five sets.
MADRID — Canada’s Denis Shapovalov dropped a 6-4, 6-1 decision to second-seeded Alexander Zverev in semifinal play Saturday at the Madrid Open.
The second-seeded German needed 57 minutes to complete the victory. He will play fifth-seeded Dominic Thiem in Sunday’s final.
"I think he picked up his level," said Shapovalov, a product of Richmond Hill, Ont. "My concentration just didn’t feel like it was there today. I’m not sure if it was the long wait for the match or just a tough week. I didn’t feel completely out there.
"I’m not taking anything away from him. He’s playing great, unbelievable tennis. All the best to him. If he keeps going like this, soon enough he’s going to be winning Grand Slams."
Thiem beat Kevin Anderson 6-4, 6-2 in the early semifinal.
Shapovalov enjoyed a breakout performance at last summer’s Rogers Cup in Montreal before falling to Zverev in the semifinals. The 19-year-old Canadian will crack the top 30 when the updated ATP world rankings are released.
"It’s been an amazing week," said Shapovalov. "Obviously it’s tough to feel positive after a loss always. Yeah, it’s been a tremendous week. Getting my first win on the ATP Tour on clay here, yeah, making semifinals of such a big tournament, I could never imagine to do so."
In women’s play, Petra Kvitova outlasted Kiki Bertens 7-6 (6), 4-6, 6-3 to claim a record third Madrid Open title. The two-time Wimbledon winner celebrated the hard-fought victory when Bertens hit a backhand long on the final point after nearly three hours.
Kvitova previously won on the Madrid clay in 2011 and 2015. This third win took the Czech’s career total to 24 titles, including four in the first five months of 2018.
The final was evenly contested, with both players getting three breaks each while saving many more chances.
The key moment came when Bertens appeared to have swung the momentum back in her favour by pulling back a break in the third set, only for Kvitova to strike right back and recover the advantage for a 5-3 lead. She served out for the championship.
"It feels great, it does not matter if it is the first, second or third title," Kvitova said.
The roof of the Caja Magica was closed without play being interrupted when it began raining in the second set.
Zverev came out on top (Picture: AFP/Getty)
Alexander Zverev continued his fine recent run in Masters 1000 tournaments as he blew Denis Shapovalov away 6-4 6-1 to reach the final of the Madrid Open.
The world No. 3, who is the only player to compete in five semi-finals of the elite events in the past year, will face Dominic Thiem in the final – chasing a third title at this level.
For Shapovalov, it was a disappointing end to a fine week. But when you consider he had not won a single match on clay prior to this week, there are certainly positives to be taken – not least that he was the youngest semi-finalist in the tournament’s history.
But Zverev was ultimately too strong in the night session on Manolo Santana and he will now take on Thiem, after the Austrian took Kevin Anderson out earlier on Saturday.
Shapovalov was defeated (Picture: AFP/Getty Images)
This was their second encounter and also the second at this stage of a Masters 1000 event, with Zverev ending Shapovalov’s first major breakthrough in Montreal.
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Back then, the Canadian was ranked at just 143 in the world. He sat 100 places higher on this occasion, with a top-30 debut on its way regardless of the result.
After a tight opener, Zverev struck at the death to clinch the first set 6-4.
Zverev was in great form (Picture: AFP/Getty)
Things went quickly from bad to worse for Shapovalov as the German broke immediately at the start of the second to put himself firmly in control of the match.
And Zverev, in a ruthless mood soon broke once more as he stormed to a 4-0 lead.
Shapovalov got on the board to stop the rot but it proved to be a mere consolation as Zverev stormed to victory.
