(AFP) – Rafael Nadal cruised into the Barcelona Open quarterfinals by defeating fellow Spaniard Guillermo Garcia-Lopez 6-1, 6-3 on Thursday.
Rafa converted on his second match point to clinch his 16th straight victory on clay and set up an encounter with Martin Klizan, who eliminated Novak Djokovic in the second round.
“I came out with the conviction that I could play a lot better than I did yesterday (against Roberto Carballes Baena), and that’s what happened,” Rafa said.
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BARCELONA, SPAIN – APRIL 26: Rafael Nadal of Spain is seen during his match against Guillermo Garcia-Lopez of Spain during day fourth of the ATP Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell at the Real Club de Tenis Barcelona on April 26, 2018 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Quality Sport Images/Getty Images)
BARCELONA, SPAIN – APRIL 26: Rafael Nadal of Spain in action during his match against Guillermo Garcia-Lopez of Spain during day fourth of the ATP Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell at the Real Club de Tenis Barcelona on April 26, 2018 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Quality Sport Images/Getty Images)
Alex Caparros/Getty Images
Alex Caparros/Getty Images
Spain’s Rafael Nadal returns the ball to Spain’s Guillermo Garcia-Lopez during their Barcelona Open ATP tournament tennis match in Barcelona on April 26, 2018. – Nadal won the match 6-1, 6-3. (Photo by PAU BARRENA / AFP) (Photo credit should read PAU BARRENA/AFP/Getty Images)
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Rafael Nadal from Spain during the Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell 66º Trofeo Conde de Godo at Reial Club Tenis Barcelona on 26 of April of 2018 in Barcelona. (Photo by Xavier Bonilla/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
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Rafael Nadal from Spain during the Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell 66º Trofeo Conde de Godo at Reial Club Tenis Barcelona on 26 of April of 2018 in Barcelona. (Photo by Xavier Bonilla/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Alex Caparros/Getty Images
Photo: Barcelona Open
Coming off his 11th Monte Carlo title, Nadal has won 11 of his 12 ATP Tour matches this season, with the only loss coming from an injury retirement in the Australian Open quarterfinals.
He has won 40 consecutive sets on clay to extend his own record, and has won 33 of his last 34 matches on the dirt.
“I had more options in the second set but a player like Rafa doesn’t give you many chances,” the 69th-ranked Garcia-Lopez said.
Rafa needs to win his 11th Barcelona title this week to retain his No. 1 ranking.
Klizan, the 140th-ranked Slovak who defeated Nadal in Beijing in 2014, reached the last eight by ousting veteran Feliciano Lopez 6-1, 6-4.
Source: AFP
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My number ONE!!!
Rafa you sure deserve every congratulations.
All the love and prayers for your next match,
Love ya,
AlaineXXSydneyXXAustraliaXX
Man… I don’t know how Rafa does it, after such domination he still has the hunger to be even better. I don’t think we will ever see someone so dominant on any surface ever again. He doesn’t give anyone anything. I’d be bored out of my mind winning so much. He’s so dominant that now I only care to watch the French Open Finals of him destroying who ever it will be that he destroys…. I take that back, I do enjoy watching Chokovic run away from him 2 rounds before he has to face him lol… and I like seeing Rafa destroy him anywhere lol!!!! That’s the only reason I still pay attention to the little tournaments.
ENHORABUENA!!!…
Adelante!!!!…
I hope Klizan is tired tomorrow. His match vs Rafa will be his 6th.
Good luck to Rafa.
RAFAMAZING ROCKS
Clay court champ stay aggressive and win all the way
Happy for your victory-stay healthy and confident.👏💪👍👊😍👑
I did not think Rafa played badly yesterday, but Rafa did. He was better today, but his opponent was not as strong. I am encouraged how determined and aggressive Rafa looks. I never want to look too far ahead, but I am very happy with how Rafa looks. It was so miserable to see tennis matches without Rafa.
Good match today. Vamos Rafa <3