AFP – Rafael Nadal sent an ominous warning of intent as the 16-time Grand Slam winner bulldozed his way into the quarter-finals of the China Open on Thursday.
The Spanish world number one, enjoying a late-career flourish, dispatched Russia’s promising Karen Khachanov 6-3, 6-3 on the outside hard court in Beijing.
Our champ broke Khachanov, ranked 42 in the world, in the fourth game and was never in serious trouble after that. Khachanov, at age 21 a rising talent, simply had no reply to Rafa’s explosive forehand and made too many routine errors.
Rafa broke the young Russian again in the third game of the second set as he cruised into the last eight. He will face John Isner in the last eight after the American sixth seed thrashed Leonardo Mayer 6-0 6-3.
Source: AFP
YAAAAY, RAFA!!!! GOOD JOB; KEEP IT UP!!!!
Great match today. Vamos Rafa <3
Congrats, Rafael.👏💪👍Good luck against Isner🍀
Rafa Kaye’s really well after almost losing his first game. Luckily he fought back and played superior tennis. Khachanov played well and the match was tighter than the score. Rafa, however was superb. He served beautifully too. Karen had to say , “Just too good.” Isner is next.
Rafa I saw the game you were good stay aggressive