Top seed Rafael Nadal is through to the third round of the Western & Southern Open in Cincinnati after seeing off Richard Gasquet on Wednesday night.
Gasquet made Rafa work for it, but Rafa ultimately broke Gasquet’s serve once in each set and put the contest away in straight sets, 6-3 6-4, following an approximately 35-minute-long, pre-match rain delay.
The victory allowed Rafa to improve to 44-6 on the year in singles matches as he pursues his fifth title of 2017.
Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates his win over Richard Gasquet of France during day 5 of the Western & Southern Open at the Lindner Family Tennis Center on August 16, 2017 in Mason, Ohio. (Aug. 15, 2017 – Source: Matthew Stockman/Getty Images North America)
Rafael Nadal of Spain serves to Richard Gasquet of France during Day 5 of the Western & Southern Open at the Linder Family Tennis Center on August 16, 2017 in Mason, Ohio. (Aug. 15, 2017 – Source: Rob Carr/Getty Images North America)
Rafael Nadal of Spain returns a shot to Richard Gasquet of France during day 5 of the Western & Southern Open at the Lindner Family Tennis Center on August 16, 2017 in Mason, Ohio. (Aug. 15, 2017 – Source: Matthew Stockman/Getty Images North America)
Rafael Nadal of Spain returns a shot against Richard Gasquet of France during Day 5 of the Western & Southern Open at the Linder Family Tennis Center on August 16, 2017 in Mason, Ohio. (Aug. 15, 2017 – Source: Rob Carr/Getty Images North America)
Rafael Nadal of Spain returns a shot against Richard Gasquet of France during Day 5 of the Western & Southern Open at the Linder Family Tennis Center on August 16, 2017 in Mason, Ohio. (Aug. 15, 2017 – Source: Rob Carr/Getty Images North America)
Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates a point against Richard Gasquet of France during day 5 of the Western & Southern Open at the Lindner Family Tennis Center on August 16, 2017 in Mason, Ohio. (Aug. 15, 2017 – Source: Matthew Stockman/Getty Images North America)
Rafael Nadal of Spain reacts to a shot by Richard Gasquet of France during Day 5 of the Western & Southern Open at the Linder Family Tennis Center on August 16, 2017 in Mason, Ohio. (Aug. 15, 2017 – Source: Rob Carr/Getty Images North America)
Rafael Nadal of Spain returns a shot against Richard Gasquet of France during Day 5 of the Western & Southern Open at the Linder Family Tennis Center on August 16, 2017 in Mason, Ohio. (Aug. 15, 2017 – Source: Rob Carr/Getty Images North America)
Rafael Nadal of Spain returns a shot against Richard Gasquet of France during Day 5 of the Western & Southern Open at the Linder Family Tennis Center on August 16, 2017 in Mason, Ohio. (Aug. 15, 2017 – Source: Rob Carr/Getty Images North America)
Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates his win over Richard Gasquet of France during day 5 of the Western & Southern Open at the Lindner Family Tennis Center on August 16, 2017 in Mason, Ohio. (Aug. 15, 2017 – Source: Matthew Stockman/Getty Images North America)
Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates his win over Richard Gasquet of France during day 5 of the Western & Southern Open at the Lindner Family Tennis Center on August 16, 2017 in Mason, Ohio. (Aug. 15, 2017 – Source: Matthew Stockman/Getty Images North America)
Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates his win over Richard Gasquet of France during day 5 of the Western & Southern Open at the Lindner Family Tennis Center on August 16, 2017 in Mason, Ohio. (Aug. 15, 2017 – Source: Matthew Stockman/Getty Images North America)
Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates his win over Richard Gasquet of France during day 5 of the Western & Southern Open at the Lindner Family Tennis Center on August 16, 2017 in Mason, Ohio. (Aug. 15, 2017 – Source: Matthew Stockman/Getty Images North America)
After the match Rafa said:
I think I played a solid match. I think Richard has a great backhand, and his best shot probably goes against my best shot, too. That probably can make the difference.
I work every day to play better. It’s obvious that was an important start for me, a good one. Now I have another opportunity tomorrow to go on court and play another match. I hope to be ready to play well tomorrow. I think I can do it, because I have been practising well.
Rafa will next face unseeded countryman Albert Ramos-Vinolas, who defeated Rafa’s Wimbledon conqueror Gilles Muller 5-7, 6-4, 6-4.
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Well done Rafa, you are sure looking great.
Yellow definitely suits you,but for that matter so does white.
All the best for next game,
love and prayers,
AlaineXXSydneyXXAustraliaXX
Wvamossssssssssssssss Rafa you are playing tennis very good .congratulations 🎾🎾🎾🎾👍👍👍👍😇😇😇😇🇺🇸❤️
you are always amazing for me – thank you for not just winning but for being who you are – a great man – GOOD LUCK RAFA
Looking fantastic. Nothing like the last match in MOntreal, thank god, of course it was Gas who Rafa owns, but there were no apparent problems in Rafa’s game.
Well done, Vamos Rafa!
good job rafa be watching you later all the best,your looking good love you lots vamos rafa.
Great job you played well
Well done Rafa- Poor Gasquet can’t catch a break:) 15 straight defeats (wins?)- you’re so mean Rafa; On to the next one!
PS, looking good out there champ!
Great start to tournament👏👍💪stay healthy-good luck🍀 Such a gruelling schedule-even some of the younger players look tired. Injuries are becoming
more frequent😠
Congrats Rafa – amazingly played 😍👍🏻 Good luck in next round 🍀🤗
VAMOOS!! 🎾💪🏼
Good job. Congrats champ Rafa!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 🙂 🙂 🙂
Good start of the tournament. Vamos Rafa <3