New York: Defending champion Rafael Nadal reached Sunday the US Open quarterfinals for the eighth time where he will face Dominic Thiem, one of only three men to defeat him in 2018. Thiem beat last year’s runner-up Kevin Anderson 7-5, 6-2, 7-6(7-2).
World No.1 Nadal saw off a battling Nikoloz Basilashvili, the first Georgian in a fourth round at the Flushing Meadows, 6-3, 6-3, 6-7(6-8), 6-4.
“It’s a big victory for me,” Nadal, the champion in 2010, 2013 and 2017, said. “He was hitting the ball very strong and when I thought I was in control of the points, he always came back with strong shots.”
Nadal leads the head-to-head 7-3 against Thiem with all of their matches coming on clay courts. “Thiem is a great opponent, he has the big serve and he had a big win today against Kevin,” pointed out Nadal.
Thiem is the first Austrian in the last eight at the US Open since Thomas Muster in 1996. “Against Rafa, I’ve had three very nice experiences and seven horrible,” said Thiem who turns 25, Monday.
“On clay, it’s one of the biggest challenges in sports to beat this guy. I hope that it’s a little bit more comfortable on hard court, but I’m not sure,” added the Austrian.
Elsewhere, Juan Martin del Potro beat Borna Coric 6-4, 6-3, 6-1 to make the last eight for a third successive year. The third-seeded Argentine will next face John Isner, the last American man standing, who defeated Milos Raonic 3-6, 6-3, 6-4, 3-6, 6-2, taking his tournament aces total past the 100-mark.
Third-seeded Del Potro made the last eight for the sixth time. “To win in straight sets in every round is good for the body and physical condition,” said Del Potro popularly referred to as DelPo. “But every round is a battle. I just hope to keep my level high against John (Isner) in the next match.”