(AFP) – Rafael Nadal brushed aside the challenge of Canadian teenager Denis Shapovalov with a 6-4, 6-1 victory to reach the Italian Open quarter-finals on Thursday.
Our champ will face Italian Fabio Fognini in the last eight as he looks to retake the world number one ranking from Roger Federer by winning an eighth Rome title this week.
Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images
Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images
Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images
Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images
Photo by Andreas Solaro/AFP
Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images
Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images
Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images
Photo by Andreas Solaro/AFP
Photo by Andreas Solaro/AFP
Photo by Andreas Solaro/AFP
Photo by Andreas Solaro/AFP
Photo by Andreas Solaro/AFP
Photo by Andreas Solaro/AFP
Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images
Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images
Photo by Andreas Solaro/AFP
Photo by Andreas Solaro/AFP
Photo by Andreas Solaro/AFP
Photo by Andreas Solaro/AFP
Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images
Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images
Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images
Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images
Rafa has already won his 11th titles in Monte Carlo and Barcelona during the current clay-court season, but has lost in the quarter-finals in each of the last three years in Italy.
He was far too strong for Shapovalov, taking the opening set with a break in the seventh game before racing through the second to gain a measure of revenge for his shock defeat by the 19-year-old in Montreal last year.
Source: AFP
Rafa what a great match you had with Denis.
All the best for your Foginini match today.
Love and prayers,
AlaineXXSydneyXXAustraliaXX
Good luck to Rafa on Friday.
RAFA ROCKS
Ok so we are looking at Rafa’s fantastic shot making. Why in the world would they throw in in Djokovic’s match. I would have signed up to follow him… Which I HAVE NOT!!! If I wanted to see him .🤬
Good match. Vamos Rafa <3
Vamos Rafa estuviste increible, buwn suerte en el proximo encuentro con Fognini, VAMOS RAFA
Looks like rafa and fabio are on 1st tomorrow. 11am UK time. Should be another good match as fabio has the crowd with him. Hope all rafa’s fans can outshout them!!
Beat Rafa on hard courts is one thing… Beat Rafa on clay? Almost impossible lol… lesson learned first hand by the young fellow. Next time just ask Federer and skip clay lol!!! VAMOS!!!
VAMOS SWEETHEART & CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR BEAUTIFUL VICTORY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) LOVE THE PHOTOS……ESPECIALLY THE ADORABLE FOCUSED EXPRESSION ON THE ANTICIPATED BH RETURN PHOTO………..: ) SO HANDSOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) ; ) : ) : ) : ) VAMOS SWEETHEART & ENJOY EVERYTHING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) XOXOXOXOXO
well done you all the best in the next match vamos rafa
Rafa great match you have played,good luck tomorrow
Amazing Rafa
Easy Peasy, candy from a baby. I like Shapovalov, from the respectful way he spoke to the umpire disputing some call, and also for acknowledging the fans at the end. What a fine young man, as Bane might say.
But Rafa could not be denied today. Now Fognini tomorrow is a whole other story. Get it done champ!
Enhorabuena!!!! Bien jugado…adelante…mñn suerte con tu opositor…se k sabras resolver el partido