(AFP) – Rafael Nadal stepped closer to a record 35th Masters 1000 title on Thursday, dispatching Argentina’s Guido Pella6-3, 6-4 Thursday to power into the ATP Montreal quarter-finals.
The Spanish world number two has now notched the most wins in the elite series, with his 379th Masters victory surpassing Roger Federer by one.
He ended the evening with an ace out wide on his fourth match point, moving into his ninth Canadian quarter-final.
Photo by Patrice Lapointe / Tennis Canada
MONTREAL, QC – AUGUST 08: Rafael Nadal (ESP) selects the balls for serving during the ATP Coupe Rogers third round match on August 8, 2019 at IGA Stadium in Montréal, QC (Photo by David Kirouac/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
MONTREAL, QC – AUGUST 08: Rafael Nadal of Spain challenges a call in his match against Guido Pella of Argentina during day 7 of the Rogers Cup at IGA Stadium on August 8, 2019 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Rafael Nadal of Spain defeated Guido Pella of Argentina 6-3, 6-4. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)
MONTREAL, QC – AUGUST 08: Rafael Nadal (ESP) looking straight at the camera during the ATP Coupe Rogers third round match on August 8, 2019 at IGA Stadium in Montréal, QC (Photo by David Kirouac/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
MONTREAL, QC – AUGUST 08: Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates as he defeats Guido Pella of Argentina 6-3, 6-4 during day 7 of the Rogers Cup at IGA Stadium on August 8, 2019 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)
MONTREAL, QC – AUGUST 08: Rafael Nadal (ESP) tracks his opponent move during the ATP Coupe Rogers third round match on August 8, 2019 at IGA Stadium in Montréal, QC (Photo by David Kirouac/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
MONTREAL, QC – AUGUST 08: Rafael Nadal (ESP) shows pride after scoring a point during the ATP Coupe Rogers third round match on August 8, 2019 at IGA Stadium in Montréal, QC (Photo by David Kirouac/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
MONTREAL, QC – AUGUST 08: Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates as he defeats Guido Pella of Argentina 6-3, 6-4 during day 7 of the Rogers Cup at IGA Stadium on August 8, 2019 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)
MONTREAL, QC – AUGUST 08: Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates as he defeats Guido Pella of Argentina 6-3, 6-4 during day 7 of the Rogers Cup at IGA Stadium on August 8, 2019 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)
MONTREAL, QC – AUGUST 08: Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates as he defeats Guido Pella of Argentina 6-3, 6-4 during day 7 of the Rogers Cup at IGA Stadium on August 8, 2019 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)
MONTREAL, QC – AUGUST 08: Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates as he defeats Guido Pella of Argentina 6-3, 6-4 during day 7 of the Rogers Cup at IGA Stadium on August 8, 2019 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)
Rafa will play Friday for a semi-final berth against Italy’s Fabio Fognini after the seventh seed beat France’s Adrian Mannarino 6-2, 7-5.
The victory came in blustery conditions, which Rafa said were not a huge bother. He made good on an impossible sky hook reverse overhead at one point in the contest.
“A tough day in terms of wind. But we are used to playing like this,” Rafa said. “When we play on outdoor courts, that’s part of the game, too. Of course it is better to play without this kind of wind.
“At the same time, it is beautiful to play under tough conditions because then the player who has different options to play has better chances to survive these kind of days. It’s about adapting and being focused mentally. Of course, I prefer to play without these conditions, but in some way I enjoy.”
Source: AFP
Like this:
Like Loading...
Related
Great to see Rafael enjoying himself on court, and revelling in the win. Fognini will be tougher and more annoying than Pella. But let’s keep the confidence and momentum going. All the best👏👍💪🤛🍀❤️What a sweet moment for that little girl.
Rafa you have to play very aggressive against Fognini, vamossssssssss champ good luck today a well watching you play,🇺🇸💪🎾❤️😘🇺🇸💪🎾❤️😘🇺🇸💪🎾❤️😘🇺🇸💪🎾❤️❤️😘🇺🇸💪🎾❤️
That heartwarming picture with the little girl.❤️ He always pays attention to the little mascots and treats them with respect whereas many other players basically ignore them. Hoping so much that he can become a father in the near future. He will be such a good one.
Congratulations on your victory!
Bravo Nadal 😀 Gracias frente a Pella, you must continue por favor. 😉 Fiona in Paris In Montreal They have a strange French accent, very harsh , nasal 😯 when They annonce To us in Paris
Best of luck for a spot in the semifinals Rafa, you can do it, just play one of your best matches because you don’t know which Fognini would show up tonight. He is one of those players I really don’t care about but I must say he has changed since he got married. I think his wife, Flavia, helps him a lot mentally which is good for tennis in general in my opinions, let’s see……
Vamos Rafa💪❤️
Rafa played well enough overall with some very good play and some not so good unforced errors against a good stubborn Pella . Beating Fognini will require a better performance as Fognini is playing confident winning tennis . Rafa must force Fognini to run alot and not allow momentum swings . This match is very important as Rafa needs to get revenge for his loss at Monte Carlo which really was a bad showing by Rafa . Please attack ,attack and don’t let Fognini get confident ! Vamos Rafa !
You never know what Fognini will bring on the court. Rafa has to stay focused and playing aggressive. Than he should be fine.
Good luck and Vamos Rafa <3