Seven-time champion Rafael Nadal beat top-ranked American Jack Sock 6-3, 6-4 on Thursday evening at the Foro Italico to ease into the quarterfinals of the Italian Open. Our champ now has a 14-0 record against Americans on clay.
Detail shot of the shoes of Rafael Nadal of Spain during the men’s third round match against Jack Sock of USA on Day Five of the Internazionali BNL d’Italia 2017 at the Foro Italico on May 18, 2017 in Rome, Italy. (May 17, 2017 – Source: Michael Steele/Getty Images Europe)
Rafael Nadal of Spain during the men’s third round match against Jack Sock of USA on Day Five of the Internazionali BNL d’Italia 2017 at the Foro Italico on May 18, 2017 in Rome, Italy. (May 17, 2017 – Source: Michael Steele/Getty Images Europe)
Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates winning a point during his 3rd round match against Jack Sock of USA in The Internazionali BNL d’Italia 2017 at Foro Italico on May 18, 2017 in Rome, Italy. (May 17, 2017 – Source: Gareth Copley/Getty Images Europe)
Rafael Nadal of Spain serves during his 3rd round match against Jack Sock of USA in The Internazionali BNL d’Italia 2017 at Foro Italico on May 18, 2017 in Rome, Italy. (May 17, 2017 – Source: Gareth Copley/Getty Images Europe)
Rafael Nadal of Spain serves during his 3rd round match against Jack Sock of USA in The Internazionali BNL d’Italia 2017 at Foro Italico on May 18, 2017 in Rome, Italy. (May 17, 2017 – Source: Gareth Copley/Getty Images Europe)
Rafael Nadal of Spain in action during the men’s third round match against Jack Sock of USA on Day Five of the Internazionali BNL d’Italia 2017 at the Foro Italico on May 18, 2017 in Rome, Italy. (May 17, 2017 – Source: Michael Steele/Getty Images Europe)
Rafael Nadal of Spain in action during the men’s third round match against Jack Sock of USA on Day Five of the Internazionali BNL d’Italia 2017 at the Foro Italico on May 18, 2017 in Rome, Italy. (May 17, 2017 – Source: Michael Steele/Getty Images Europe)
Rafael Nadal of Spain in action during the men’s third round match against Jack Sock of USA on Day Five of the Internazionali BNL d’Italia 2017 at the Foro Italico on May 18, 2017 in Rome, Italy. (May 17, 2017 – Source: Michael Steele/Getty Images Europe)
Jack Sock (R) of USA shakes hands after losing in straight sets to Rafael Nadal of Spain during the men’s third round match against Jack Sock of USA on Day Five of the Internazionali BNL d’Italia 2017 at the Foro Italico on May 18, 2017 in Rome, Italy. (May 17, 2017 – Source: Michael Steele/Getty Images Europe)
Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates his straight sets victory during the men’s third round match against Jack Sock of USA on Day Five of the Internazionali BNL d’Italia 2017 at the Foro Italico on May 18, 2017 in Rome, Italy. (May 17, 2017 – Source: Michael Steele/Getty Images Europe)
Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates his straight sets victory during the men’s third round match against Jack Sock of USA on Day Five of the Internazionali BNL d’Italia 2017 at the Foro Italico on May 18, 2017 in Rome, Italy. (May 17, 2017 – Source: Michael Steele/Getty Images Europe)
After the match, Rafa said:
There is always room to improve. That’s why I wake up every morning. I go to practice with the motivation to improve something. I can keep serving better. I can hit some more winners with the forehand and it’s something that I am working on every day to try and make happen. But it’s obvious that I am playing well and I should be very happy with the way that I am doing things.
Rafa is now 35-5 on the season, which includes capturing three ATP titles in Monte-Carlo, Barcelona and Madrid.
Next up for Rafa is in-form eighth seed Dominic Thiem who saved three match points in his three sets win over Sam Querrey.
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Congratulations n good luck for your next battle today Rafa my boy. God bless you. Vamos King of Clay. Go Rafa Go! Your Aussie Abuela Nan Shirley. 🐂⏳👑💥💥😀😊😇
Rafa congratulations well don .the KING OF CLAY. VAMOSSSSSSSSSSS..🎾🎾🎾👍👍👍🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸❤️❤️❤️😇😇😇😃😃😃🎾🎾🎾🎾🎾🎾🎾🎾🎾🎾🎾🎾🎾🎾🎾
Rafa is playing brilliantly. I am amazed at his energy after all the play he has done on the clay courts during the past few weeks.
However if he succumbs to tiredness it is much better that it happens here rather than Roland Garros.
Thiem will be a tough contender. Having lost to Rafa in previous matches he will be fired up to have a victory this time. Then, of course, there is Djokovic who will certainly go all out to stamp his authority on Rafa. should they both reach the finals.
Should Rafa lose in Rome I would much rather see it happen against Thiem than Djokovic. It would also give Rafa more time to rest up in Mallorca prior to Roland Garros.
Rafa always says take each day one at a time but I can’t help looking ahead to Roland Garros, and hopefully Rafa reaching La Decima there..
Congratulations Rafa champ and the best of luck in the quaterfinal 🤗🍀❤️
VAMOOS! 🎾💪🏼😘
CONGRATZ Rafa. You just keep doing. Astounding.
RAFA ROCKS
Congratulations
To The Ultimate
King of Clay !
👑👑👑👑
Rafa Nadal !
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#rafaaddict
#rafafanatic
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# vamosrafa
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Rafa looked for me a little bit tired today. Take rest and than good luck for tomorrow. Vamos Rafa <3
Match the Day Rafael