Rafael Nadal has reached the quarter-finals of the ATP Masters 1000 in Rome. The Mallorcan defeated youngster Denis Shapovalov 6-4, 6-1 on Thursday afternoon. Philipp Kohlschreiber is challenged against Kei Nishikori later this evening.
Nadal put pressure on his opponent in the first game. Shapovalov was able to fend off all three break possibilities for the time being and played well until 3:3. In the seventh game, however, Nadal managed to take the serve off his opponent.
After the set loss the spell was broken, Shapovalov only managed one game. A look at the figures shows how much the 16-times major winner put Shapovalov under pressure: While Nadal only had to play 37 points on his own serve, Shapovalov had to play 72 points.
Nadal beat a total of 16 winners in twelve unforced mistakes, 19-year-old Shapovalov had a record of 14/29 and in the round of the last eight Nadal now faces local hero Fabio Fognini, who kicked Dominic Thiem out of the tournament on Wednesday and beat Peter Gojowczyk at noon.
Philipp Kohlschreiber also has his sights set on the quarter-finals, but he would have to prove himself against Kei Nishikori tonight. The Japanese leads 1-0 in the Head-to-Head, he won the only clash at the Australian Open two years ago in three sets.
Pablo Carreno Busta has already reached the quarter-finals, beating Alijaz Bedene from Slovenia 6-4, 6-7(3) and 6-2 at the beginning of the day. The Spaniard will face Marin Cilic, who beat Frenchman Benoit Paire 6-3, 6-4.