World No. 2 Rafael Nadal has secured his place in the quarterfinals of Wimbledon after defeating Joao Sousa in straight sets on Centre Court. He took control of the match from the start and did not allow Sousa to impose himself in a 6-2, 6-2, 6-2 victory.
Rafa struck 30 winners to only 10 unforced errors, and he did not face a break point in the match, winning more than 78 per cent of his service points. His grass court win-loss record is now 70-19, and 52-11 at The Championships.
Rafa will now face either Sam Querrey or Tennys Sandgren in the last eight on Wednesday.
Rafael Nadal makes his way onto centre court on day seven of the Wimbledon Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, Wimbledon. (Photo by Adam Davy/PA Images via Getty Images)
The Umpire tosses the coin ahead of the fourth round Gentlemen’s Singles match between Joao Sousa (POR) and Rafael Nadal (ESP) on Centre Court. The Championships 2019. Held at The All England Lawn Tennis Club, Wimbledon. Day 7 Monday 08/07/2019. Credit: AELTC/Simon Bruty
8th July 2019, The All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, Wimbledon, England, Wimbledon Tennis Tournament, Day 7; Rafael Nadal serves against João Sousa (por) (photo by Shaun Brooks/Action Plus via Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 08: Rafael Nadal of Spain serves in his Men’s Singles fourth round match against Joao Sousa of Portugal during Day Seven of The Championships – Wimbledon 2019 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 08, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
Rafael Nadal (ESP) playing against Joao Sousa (POR) in the fourth round of the Gentlemen’s Singles on Centre Court. The Championships 2019. Held at The All England Lawn Tennis Club, Wimbledon. Day 7 Monday 08/07/2019. Credit: AELTC/Simon Bruty
LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 08: Rafael Nadal of Spain plays a backhand in his Men’s Singles fourth round match against Joao Sousa of Portugal during Day Seven of The Championships – Wimbledon 2019 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 08, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
Rafael Nadal in action against Joao Sousa on day seven of the Wimbledon Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, Wimbledon. (Photo by Adam Davy/PA Images via Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 08: Rafael Nadal of Spain plays a forehand in his Men’s Singles fourth round match against Joao Sousa of Portugal during Day Seven of The Championships – Wimbledon 2019 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 08, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
Rafael Nadal in action against Joao Sousa on day seven of the Wimbledon Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, Wimbledon. (Photo by Adam Davy/PA Images via Getty Images)
8th July 2019, The All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, Wimbledon, England, Wimbledon Tennis Tournament, Day 7; Rafael Nadal upset at the shot in his game against João Sousa (por) (photo by Shaun Brooks/Action Plus via Getty Images)
A close-up of the shoes of Spain’s Rafael Nadal as he plays Portugal’s Joao Sousa in a Men’s singles match during day seven of the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London, Monday, July 8, 2019. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)
LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 08: Rafael Nadal of Spain serves in his Men’s Singles fourth round match against Joao Sousa of Portugal during Day Seven of The Championships – Wimbledon 2019 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 08, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
Rafael Nadal in action against Joao Sousa on day seven of the Wimbledon Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, Wimbledon. (Photo by Adam Davy/PA Images via Getty Images)
8th July 2019, The All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, Wimbledon, England, Wimbledon Tennis Tournament, Day 7; Rafael Nadal readies himself for his game against João Sousa (por) (photo by Shaun Brooks/Action Plus via Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 08: Rafael Nadal of Spain plays a forehand in his Men’s Singles fourth round match against Joao Sousa of Portugal during Day Seven of The Championships – Wimbledon 2019 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 08, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
8th July 2019, The All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, Wimbledon, England, Wimbledon Tennis Tournament, Day 7; Rafael Nadal lines up his water bottles during a break in his game versus Sousa (por) (photo by Shaun Brooks/Action Plus via Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 08: Rafael Nadal of Spain plays a backhand in his Men’s Singles fourth round match against Joao Sousa of Portugal during Day Seven of The Championships – Wimbledon 2019 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 08, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 08: Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates in his Men’s Singles fourth round match against Joao Sousa of Portugal during Day Seven of The Championships – Wimbledon 2019 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 08, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
Rafael Nadal changes his head band during his match on day seven of the Wimbledon Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, Wimbledon. (Photo by Adam Davy/PA Images via Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 08: Rafael Nadal of Spain corrects his headband during a change of serve in his Men’s Singles fourth round match against Joao Sousa of Portugal during Day Seven of The Championships – Wimbledon 2019 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 08, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
Rafael Nadal (ESP) is offered Wimbledon towels during his match in the fourth round of the Gentlemen’s Singles on Centre Court. The Championships 2019. Held at The All England Lawn Tennis Club, Wimbledon. Day 7 Monday 08/07/2019. Credit: AELTC/Simon Bruty
Photo: THE TIMES / JAMIE MCPHILIMEY
LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 08: Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates in his Men’s Singles fourth round match against Joao Sousa of Portugal during Day Seven of The Championships – Wimbledon 2019 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 08, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 08: Rafael Nadal of Spain plays a backhand in his Men’s Singles fourth round match against Joao Sousa of Portugal during Day Seven of The Championships – Wimbledon 2019 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 08, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 08: Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates in his Men’s Singles fourth round match against Joao Sousa of Portugal during Day Seven of The Championships – Wimbledon 2019 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 08, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
. The Championships 2019. Held at The All England Lawn Tennis Club, Wimbledon. {year4}{month0}{day0}. Credit: AELTC/Tim Clayton
Rafael Nadal celebrates beating Joao Sousa on day seven of the Wimbledon Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, Wimbledon. (Photo by Adam Davy/PA Images via Getty Images)
Rafael Nadal celebrates beating Joao Sousa on day seven of the Wimbledon Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, Wimbledon. (Photo by Adam Davy/PA Images via Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 08: Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates victory after his Men’s Singles fourth round match against Joao Sousa of Portugal during Day Seven of The Championships – Wimbledon 2019 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 08, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 08: Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates victory after his Men’s Singles fourth round match against Joao Sousa of Portugal during Day Seven of The Championships – Wimbledon 2019 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 08, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 08: Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates victory after his Men’s Singles fourth round match against Joao Sousa of Portugal during Day Seven of The Championships – Wimbledon 2019 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 08, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
. The Championships 2019. Held at The All England Lawn Tennis Club, Wimbledon. {year4}{month0}{day0}. Credit: AELTC/Tim Clayton
LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 08: Rafael Nadal of Spain acknowledges the crowd as he walks off the court after his Men’s Singles fourth round match against Joao Sousa of Portugal during Day Seven of The Championships – Wimbledon 2019 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 08, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
Today a French cycliste won his lap 🚲 💛 Fiona
Great job Rafa. THREE MORE TO GO. Now into the quarterfinals. You’ve passed the halfway mark.
Happy about these last two easy wins after his tough battle in the second. Hopefully Rafa is playing so well he just makes it look easy. I thought Sousa would be more competitive after the build-up Rafa gave him prior to the match. He always talks well about his next opponent but I found his remarks about Sousa extra complimentary.
RAFA ROCKS
Congratulations Rafa ,another fantastic performance,a job well don again vamossssssssss champ good luck💪😘❤️🎾💪😘❤️🎾💪😘❤️👍🌎
Bravo Rafa 😀 I was out today so couldn t go to a bar to see the match on Eurosport 😐 want to on Weds. ☺ I hoped it would .be an easy win. He must be pleased for Bautista Espana 😀 shame Verdasco 😕 he is my second pin- up after Rafael 😘 our Paire out 😕 no more French players in. In Porto Cristo where he lives this week they have las Fiestas de Carme , a local festival with music 🎶 and Flamenco dance , I wrote that they must be celebrating and toasting Nadal 😃🍷🍻 their local celebrity , it goes on until July 21 st. Fiona in Paris
Easy Peasy… Rafa was a well oiled machine today! Keep it going champ!
Congratulations Rafa you’re the best you make light work easy for you, just get some rest rejuvenate and ready for the next match love you Rafa.
You can‘t start better into a second week of a Grand-Slam like this. Well done champ.
All the best for wednesday. Vamos Rafa <3
VAMOS SWEETHEART WE LOVE YOU!!!!!!!:) CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR SOLID STRONG BRILLIANT VICTORY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):) ENJOY EVERYTHING SWEETHEART AND CELEBRATE YOUR PRECIOUS WIN WITH YOUR LOVED ONES!!!!!!!!:) HAVE AA GREAT HAPPY NIGHT AND A BEAUTIFUL WEEK!!!!:) VAMOS SWEETHEART EVERYTHING YOU DID WAS BRIGHT AND MOST IMPRESSIVE!!!!!!!:) YOU ARE A NATURAL ON GRASS SWEETHEART!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:):):):):):):) TENNIS GENIUS ON ALL SURFACES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:) VAMS AND ENJOY YOUR PRECIOUS COURT COMMAND AND ALL YOUR EXTRAORDINARY MAGICAL COURT PRESENCE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:) XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO KEEP SMILING !!!!!!!!!!!!:)
Why all the CAPITALS!!!!!
He played really well and Sousa didnt do a lot wrong. He was dominant in all aspects of his game tho did throw in some doubles when not under pressure which might cause him concern
Congratulations Rafa, another fantastic performance, a job well done again👏😁
So thrilled you finished the match in straight sets to save energy for the next round👍
All the best and Vamos💪❤️
An awesome display from you, Rafa. Continue to weave your magic in the next round!
Very very unfortunately I can’t watch the matches but was listening to live commentary. What I heard made my heart soar and I thought this is how I had seen Rafa play years ago – vintage Rafa.
Pray that he continues in this way no matter who the opponent is.
Cmon Rafa – love you 😍
VAMOS 🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀
Congratulations Rafa
Sam Querry Get Ready to suffer
Great Play and Ominous signs for us Rafans… Waiting from last 9 brutal years for 3rd trophy… God please no more heartbreaks… Vamos Rafa
Good luck for quarters
Querry v Sandgren is one set all right now. You never know, Sandgren might just do it.
Querry victory. You called it Khawartaimoor. 👏🏼 Very close though.
Thanks Lorna
Had to go with the flow
He took 4 sets Inc. 3 tie breaks today and Rafa 3 sets. Could mean it took more out of him 😯 The France TV is just giving us flashes on the matches , all is taken over this week by the Tour de France 🚲 Fiona in Paris