Spain’s Rafael Nadal dedicated his victory over his friend Richard Gasquet, by achieving his 18th victory over the Frenchman, to qualify for the quarter-finals of the US Open.
Sharjah 24 – Asaad Khalil:
Veteran Spaniard Rafael Nadal, ranked third in the world, qualified for the fourth round of the US Open (Flushing Meadows), the last of the four Grand Slam tournaments of the current season.
Nadal defeated Frenchman Richard Gasquet in three sets, 6-0, 6-1, 7-5, at dawn on Sunday, in the third round.
Nadal won his 18th consecutive victory over Gasquet since their first meeting in 2004.
Gasquet has not won a set once morest Nadal since 2008.
After sustaining a nose injury following being hit by his racket inadvertently during his second-round win over Italian Fabio Fognini, Nadal managed to unseat Gasquet quite smoothly this time, much to his delight.
“My nose is bigger than usual but it’s fine, my nose is still there,” Nadal said.
Nadal has not lost any match this season in the four Grand Slam tournaments, and he will meet in the fourth round with American Francis Tiafoe, who defeated Argentine Diego Schwartzman 7-6 (9/7), 6-4, 6-4.
Carlos Alcaraz
Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz also qualified for the fourth round, following defeating American Jenson Broxby 6-3, 6-3, 6-3.
Alcaraz will meet in the fourth round with Croatian Marin Cilic, who beat Britain’s Daniel Evans 7-6, 6/7, 6/2, 7/5.