Rafael Nadal hammered Dutch twenty sixth seed Botic van de Zandschulp 6-3 6-2 6-4 within the French Open third spherical on Friday to stay heading in the right direction for a possible mouth-watering showdown towards world primary Novak Djokovic within the quarter-finals.
Nadal has 13 Roland Garros titles amongst his 21 majors — the best amongst males — however the Spaniard was denied final 12 months when he went down within the semi-finals to eventual champion Djokovic.
Around the identical time on close by Court Philippe Chatrier, the Serb additionally placed on a prolific show to e-book his spot within the fourth spherical with a 6-3 6-3 6-2 win over Slovenia’s Aljaz Bedene to remain within the hunt for a record-equalling twenty first main.
While Djokovic will subsequent meet Argentine Diego Schwartzman, Nadal will tackle Canadian ninth seed Felix Auger-Aliassime earlier than their potential conflict within the final eight.
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Business as ordinary 💼@RafaelNadal defeats Botic Van De Zandschulp 6-3, 6-2, 6-4 to succeed in the fourth spherical at #RolandGarros for the seventeenth time. pic.twitter.com/WL0vnf4LTo
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) May 27, 2022
Van de Zandschulp started the match on a robust footing, breaking Nadal’s serve within the first recreation, however the Spaniard’s supply appeared virtually impregnable for the rest of the competition on Court Suzanne Lenglen.
In his first profession assembly towards the Dutchman, Nadal dictated phrases from method behind the baseline, absorbing his opponent’s energy after which bringing out his venomous forehand when required.
Van de Zandschulp, presently at a career-high rating of twenty ninth, staged a short fightback within the third set when he received three video games in a row from 4-0 down however Nadal, who will flip 36 subsequent week, had the cushion to not be threatened.
Nadal broke the 26-year-old’s service twice in every of the three units, hit 25 winners whereas protecting a lid on his unforced errors. The left-hander closed out the competition with an overhead smash down the center on his second match level.
“I had my chance with a break point for 5-0 then match was over but he made a great second serve,” Nadal mentioned on court docket.
“Then I played a bad game with my serve and he started to play aggressive and you feel a bit of nerves to finish the match.
“Straight sets, it was my best match of the tournament for two sets and a half.”
Djokovic advances
Defending champion Novak Djokovic recorded one other straight-set victory and can face Diego Schwartzman for a spot within the quarterfinals on the French Open.
Smooth crusing ⛵@DjokerNole is thru to his thirteenth consecutive fourth spherical at#RolandGarros defeating Bedene 6-3, 6-3 6-2. pic.twitter.com/wVOz9Brcfm
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) May 27, 2022
The top-ranked Djokovic beat Aljaz Bedene of Slovenia 6-3, 6-3, 6-2 at Court Philippe Chatrier in 1 hour, 44 minutes — the quickest of his three wins.
Schwartzman’s 0-6 file towards Djokovic features a five-setter within the third spherical on the 2017 French Open. The Argentine is seeded fifteenth.
The 20-time Grand Slam champion hasn’t misplaced within the third spherical at Roland Garros since 2009.
