Defending champion Rafael Nadal has beaten Jack Sock in four sets to progress to the quarter-finals of the French Open, with a score of 6-3, 6-1, 5-7, 6-2.
Our champ will play World No. 1 Novak Djokovic for a spot in the Roland Garros semi-finals.
Rafael Nadal: “Jack played a great match — he’ll have a great future. … I will have to play my best tennis. Djokovic is the world number one and is having a great season. It’ll be a complicated match.” (via AP)
Tennis – French Open – Roland Garros, Paris, France – 1/6/15 Men’s Singles – Spain’s Rafael Nadal in action during his fourth round match Action Images via Reuters / Jason Cairnduff Livepic
Rafael Nadal of Spain prepares to serve to Jack Sock of the U.S. during their men’s singles match during the French Open tennis tournament at the Roland Garros stadium in Paris, France, June 1, 2015. REUTERS/Vincent Kessler
Spain’s Rafael Nadal prepares to serve in the fourth round match of the French Open tennis tournament against Jack Sock of the U.S. at the Roland Garros stadium, in Paris, France, Monday, June 1, 2015. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)
Spain’s Rafael Nadal returns with a smash in the fourth round match of the French Open tennis tournament against Jack Sock of the U.S. at the Roland Garros stadium, in Paris, France, Monday, June 1, 2015. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)
Rafael Nadal of Spain returns the ball to Jack Sock of the U.S. during their men’s singles match during the French Open tennis tournament at the Roland Garros stadium in Paris, France, June 1, 2015. REUTERS/Vincent Kessler
Spain’s Rafael Nadal takes a towel from one of the ball-boys in the fourth round match of the French Open tennis tournament against Jack Sock of the U.S. at the Roland Garros stadium, in Paris, France, Monday, June 1, 2015. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)
EFE/Etienne Laurent
PARIS, FRANCE – JUNE 01: Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates a point in his Men’s Singles match against Jack Sock of the United States on day nine of the 2015 French Open at Roland Garros on June 1, 2015 in Paris, France. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
Spain’s Rafael Nadal kicks up the clay as he serves in the fourth round match of the French Open tennis tournament against Jack Sock of the U.S. at the Roland Garros stadium, in Paris, France, Monday, June 1, 2015. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)
Rafael Nadal of Spain returns the ball to Jack Sock of the U.S. during their men’s singles match during the French Open tennis tournament at the Roland Garros stadium in Paris, France, June 1, 2015. REUTERS/Vincent Kessler
Spain’s Rafael Nadal clenches his fist after scoring a point in the fourth round match of the French Open tennis tournament against Jack Sock of the U.S. at the Roland Garros stadium, in Paris, France, Monday, June 1, 2015. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)
FILE – In this Thursday, May 28, 2015 filer, Spain’s Rafael Nadal returns in the second round match of the French Open tennis tournament against Spain’s Nicolas Almagro at the Roland Garros stadium, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena, File)
Spain’s Rafael Nadal gestures after missing a return in the fourth round match of the French Open tennis tournament against Jack Sock of the U.S. at the Roland Garros stadium, in Paris, France, Monday, June 1, 2015. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)
Rafael Nadal of Spain adjusts his headband during his men’s singles match against Jack Sock of the U.S. during the French Open tennis tournament at the Roland Garros stadium in Paris, France, June 1, 2015. REUTERS/Jean-Paul Pelissier
PARIS, FRANCE – JUNE 01: Maria Francisca Perello, girlfriend of Rafael Nadal of Spain watches him i his Men’s Singles match against Jack Sock of the United States on day nine of the 2015 French Open at Roland Garros on June 1, 2015 in Paris, France. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
PARIS, FRANCE – JUNE 01: Rafael Nadal of Spain returns a shot in his Men’s Singles match against Jack Sock of the United States on day nine of the 2015 French Open at Roland Garros on June 1, 2015 in Paris, France. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
Spain’s Rafael Nadal clenches his fist after scoring a point in his fourth round match of the French Open tennis tournament against Jack Sock of the U.S. at the Roland Garros stadium, in Paris, France, Monday, June 1, 2015. Nadal won in four sets, 6-3, 6-1, 5-7, 6-2. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)
PARIS, FRANCE – JUNE 01: A detailed view of Rafael Nadal of Spain’s shoe as he plays his Men’s Singles match against Jack Sock of the United States on day nine of the 2015 French Open at Roland Garros on June 1, 2015 in Paris, France. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
PARIS, FRANCE – JUNE 01: A detailed view of Rafael Nadal of Spain’s shoe as he plays his Men’s Singles match against Jack Sock of the United States on day nine of the 2015 French Open at Roland Garros on June 1, 2015 in Paris, France. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
PARIS, FRANCE – JUNE 01: A detailed view of Rafael Nadal of Spain’s shoe as he plays his Men’s Singles match against Jack Sock of the United States on day nine of the 2015 French Open at Roland Garros on June 1, 2015 in Paris, France. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
Rafael Nadal of Spain serves to Jack Sock of the U.S. during their men’s singles match during the French Open tennis tournament at the Roland Garros stadium in Paris, France, June 1, 2015. REUTERS/Jean-Paul Pelissier
PARIS, FRANCE – JUNE 01: Rafael Nadal of Spain returns a shot in his Men’s Singles match against Jack Sock of the United States on day nine of the 2015 French Open at Roland Garros on June 1, 2015 in Paris, France. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
Rafael Nadal of Spain reacts during his men’s singles match against Jack Sock of the U.S. during the French Open tennis tournament at the Roland Garros stadium in Paris, France, June 1, 2015. REUTERS/Vincent Kessler
Spain’s Rafael Nadal celebrates his victory over US Jack Sock at the end of their men’s fourth round of the Roland Garros 2015 French Tennis Open in Paris on June 1, 2015. AFP PHOTO / PASCAL GUYOT
Spain’s Rafael Nadal celebrates winning his fourth round match of the French Open tennis tournament against Jack Sock of the U.S. in four sets, 6-3, 6-1, 5-7, 6-2, at the Roland Garros stadium, in Paris, France, Monday, June 1, 2015. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)
Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates after defeating Jack Sock of the U.S. during their men’s singles match during the French Open tennis tournament at the Roland Garros stadium in Paris, France, June 1, 2015. REUTERS/Jean-Paul Pelissier
EFE/Yoan Valat
Spain’s Rafael Nadal celebrates winning the fourth round match of the French Open tennis tournament against Jack Sock of the U.S. in four sets 6-3, 6-1, 5-7, 6-2, at the Roland Garros stadium, in Paris, France, Monday, June 1, 2015. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)
Rafael Nadal of Spain shakes hands with Jack Sock of the U.S. after winning their men’s singles match during the French Open tennis tournament at the Roland Garros stadium in Paris, France, June 1, 2015. REUTERS/Vincent Kessler
El tenista español Rafael Nadal (d), saluda al estadounidense Jack Sock (i), tras derrotarle en el partido de octavos de final de Roland Garros, que ambos han disputado en París, Francia, hoy, lunes 1 de junio de 2015. EFE/Etienne Laurent
Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates after defeating Jack Sock of the U.S. during their men’s singles match during the French Open tennis tournament at the Roland Garros stadium in Paris, France, June 1, 2015. REUTERS/Jean-Paul Pelissier
Tennis – French Open – Roland Garros, Paris, France – 1/6/15 Men’s Singles – Spain’s Rafael Nadal during his fourth round match Action Images via Reuters / Jason Cairnduff Livepic
Rafa my hero congrats for your victory against Sock. You are definitely playing better now than during the first 4+ months. Hope you peak on your birthday!!! Stay calm, dont think about the best player in the world etc. Whatever the result you will always be my Rafa – the very best – my second son.
I pray and ask all Rafa fans to pray that the weather forecast for Wednesday is false and it turns out to be hot and sunny and even if not, that Rafa will be aware and play accordingly. Please be aggressive – Novak is going to take your shots early to give him the advantage – take care!!! Anyway, VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!
All the very best in life to you on your birthday and always!!!!!!!! God bless you and keep you!
Dear Rafa: I just want to say how proud of you I am in your victorious 4th round match today. God Bless you, and keep you healthy in body and mind. Stay in the moment and hold onto the baseline. Love, Marylynn
Wow, Great match! Although Rafa was battle-tested closing out the 3rd set, it’s ok
to face some adversity in a match and suffer as he explains it! Always love how Rafa
regroups and regains his intensity and “never say die” attitude to close it out in the 4th set.
Exciting stuff! Great effort from Jack Sock to bring the heat late in the 3rd set. So glad
Rafa cooled things down from Jack in the 4th! Best wishes in the Qtr Finals! Just the next
rung in the ladder. Vamos Rafa!
Rafa, you are playing great but your next match is a little tough one.Please play hard and smart to beat Novak in the QF. I am your life long fan and love you for ever. Vamossssss RAFA. GOOD LUCK
Rafa congratulations you are playing very good .remember you are the KING OF CLAY. Vamosssssssssssssssssssssssss all the way.your fans for ever.we love Rafa.
Novak is unbeatable playing against Gasquet?
I think Rafael has pass well his test, he is ready to win!
Novak is UNBEATABLE right now!
He is beatable
BEAUTIFUL MATCH RAFA!!!!! : ) WOW……. your solid, wonderful Serve is FANTASTIC!!!!! : ) VAMOS DEAR RAFA!!!!! : ) Your entire game is SO relevant…..& SO magnificent….you are a joy to watch – God bless you!!!! I loved how you over came the opponent brief attempt to be tough & effective and you took charge just in the right time – good for you !!!! VAMOS!!!! That is your wisdom Rafa & experience & also knowing all is well!!!! : ) ci…ci…. With your bright shots & speedy MOVEMENT covering all the court….your strength came through – very special!!! Very happy for you…..enjoy your strong win & have a wonderful evening with your family & team. This was in parts, a tiring match and so you need the extra rest…..It is so very important to PLEASE PLEASE try to sleep extra hour or even two…. eat pasta, drink water & enjoy your beautiful blessed game!!!! The extra sleep will give you the right energy for everything!!! ….ci…ci… you will do very well playing Novak because he is a player you know very well …..ENJOY your match & have lots of fun sweetheart!!! Please keep your passion & drive (even if he has a few wins in a row or the crowd cheers him) You keep your beautiful focus on the ball & everything will work out because you are the stronger, more creative and experienced player!!! : ) You have your strong presence & tough character about you that no other player has…..ci…ci… It will be a good match & and during important close moments keep your fans love close to you and know we are all with you during the entire match. VAMOS & Best wishes always!!! : )
I wish you all the best to regain the championship. I can see that you are improving leaps and bounds coming back to your peak form. I have also noticed physically you look stronger and agile. I will be rooting for you along with all your fans world over.
Congratulations Rafa. May your birthday present be a win on Wednesday. Keep thinking “been there, done that”! Rafa you were 20 yrs. old, not 21, as I mentioned earlier, when you won Wimbledon, I’m sorry. Keep on playing, like Roger Federer. God Bless. Your Aussie Nana. 🎈🎈🎈🎈
Our champion was coasting but relaxed towards the end of the third set! Interesting that he was penalised for time but Jack Sock could swear his way through and no penalty! Anyway Rafael is through and let us support him as always. He is the champion. Frantically trying to buy a ticket through Viagogo, a challenge as ever. Vamos Rafaaaa
Vamos Rafa! All the best for Wednesday! You can win this!!! We are all behind you and believe in you! Go for #10! <3 <3 <3