PARIS — Rafael Nadal received Paris's most prestigious honor, the “Grand Vermeil” Thursday, just days before the Spanish superstar opens his bid for a 10th French Open title at Roland Garros. The 28-year-old was termed “the most Parisian of Mallorcans,” as he received the honor from Paris's Spanish-born mayor Anne Hidalgo at the city's Hôtel de ville. “Nadal has marked and continues to mark the history of Paris,” said Hidalgo. “The history of Roland Garros cannot be written without Rafael Nadal.” Hidalgo described the 14-time Grand Slam winner and former world No. 1 as “an exemplary champion who has always maintained his humility.” “Rafael Nadal is a humble man who works seriously, an example for young people,” she continued. “He's also a generous person who has forgotten nothing of his humility and doesn't hide behind his fame.” Nadal described Paris as the “most important city” in his career, and the one where he “came of age as a sportsman.” “Roland Garros is tennis and Roland Garros is Paris,” he continued. “But for me, it's something special. This is the tournament that made me reach maturity, a life-changing moment for an athlete. And mine changed here in Paris ten years ago,” said Nadal. “This title goes far beyond my success on the Philippe Chatrier court and it's a great personal satisfaction for me. I thank those who have distinguished me with this medal which places me alongside important personalities belonging to the history of this city,” added the world No. 7. “It's a great satisfaction for us,” his uncle and coach Toni Nadal said. “Every time we come to Paris, it's always special. When he was young, Rafael dreamed of winning here a few times. We were lucky enough to win nine times.” Kerber defeats Doi Second-seeded Angelique Kerber reached the semifinals of the Nuremberg Cup with a comfortable 6-2, 6-3 defeat of Japanese qualifier Misaki Doi Thursday. The German next faces the Roberta Vinci of Italy, who beat seventh-seeded Kurumi Nara of Japan 6-1, 1-6, 6-4. Sixth-seeded Karin Knapp defeated Yulia Putintseva of Kazakhstan 6-2, 6-4 for a place in the other semifinal. The Italian will play the the 98th-ranked Lara Arruabarrena of Spain, who beat the eighth-seeded Carina Witthoeft of Germany 6-0, 6-4 in the late quarterfinal. Lara Arruabarrena of Spain upset third-seeded Sabine Lisicki of Germany 6-2, 6-7 (3), 7-6 (3) Wednesday. Isner in semifinals Second-seeded John Isner of the United States beat Serbia's Dusan Lajovic 7-6 (3), 6-4 to reach the Open de Nice semifinals Thursday, while defending champion Ernests Gulbis lost 6-2, 6-4 against Austria's Dominic Thiem. Borna Coric of Croatia beat James Duckworth 6-3, 7-6 (3). Raonic pulls out of French Open World No. 6 Milos Raonic withdrew from the French Open Thursday after failing to recover from foot surgery. “I am sad to have to unfortunately withdraw from Roland Garros this year, I tried my best to be back and healthy in time after surgery,” the 24-year-old wrote on his Twitter account. — Agencies
