“This is a part of the season that I won zero points last year.  Every match that I won are points that I add to the computer for my [Emirates ATP Ranking]. That’s important for me today. Every victory is important for me. That was a good one. Let’s try tomorrow.”

• Murray beats Robredo after delay, Wawrinka exits Montreal (via Yahoo Sports)

Nadal is playing in Canada for the first time since winning his third title here in 2013. The world number nine improved to 40-12 on the season.

“I go day by day. Today is a victory that I am happy with,” said Nadal.

“I’m satisfied with the way that I played. I’m practising well and practising more than ever now because I am healthy and because I feel that’s what I need today.”

• Rafa Ready to Recapture Best Form (via ATP World Tour)

“He can play his best tennis again. He lacks regularity and needs to improve some aspects of his game [such as] movement and foot speed but he’s able to do it,” said Roig, who coaches Nadal alongside the Spaniard’s uncle, Toni.

“At full speed, hitting the ball like he did back in 2013, he was zoning with no mistakes, and this is something he lacks today. It will be difficult to play in the United Stated that well from the beginning as he did two years ago, but my goal is demonstrate to him that if he wants to win, if the desire is to beat the best players, that’s the way [to do it],” said Roig.

• It’s a busy Rogers Cup so far for Rafael Nadal, who keeps winning in both singles and doubles (via Yahoo Sports)

Nadal and Verdasco are now in the quarter-finals, where they may face the best doubles team in the world, Bob and Mike Bryan of the U.S.  In singles, Nadal has a very good draw, as he meets qualifier Mikhail Youzhny, a veteran Russian who is in the final stages of his career and has done well to even get this far, Thursday night.

• Mailbag: Why Rafael Nadal is still a top contender for another major title (via SI.com)

The optimist in me wins out. Especially if Nadal makes some adjustments. He rations his energy and manages his schedule more judiciously (he writes, the week Nadal supplements his singles play with doubles). … In this sport, the only player discounted altogether from winning majors are those not in the draw. That’s to say nothing of champions with double-digit majors.