LONDON: Rafael Nadal reached the Wimbledon quarter-finals for the eighth time on Monday with a straight-sets defeat of Botic van de Zandschulp.
Nadal, who has already won the Australian and French Opens to stand halfway to the first calendar Grand Slam since 1969, triumphed 6-4, 6-2, 7-6 (8/6).
Next up for the 36-year-old Spaniard is a clash against American 11th seed Taylor Fritz, who beat him in the Indian Wells final earlier in the year.
“To be back in the quarter-finals after not being here for three years is amazing,” said the 2008 and 2010 champion.
“I expect a very tough match against Taylor — he won his first Masters title this year against me in the final.
“The quarter-finals of a Slam are always very tough.”
Nadal had already defeated Van de Zandschulp in straight sets at the French Open and he was hardly troubled Monday until a third set blip.
He broke the world number 25 Dutchman in the 10th game to secure the opening set.
The 22-time major winner backed it up with a double break in the second set.
Van de Zandschulp managed to stem the bleeding, retrieving a break in the third to get to a tiebreak.
He saved three match points before his challenge ended with a wild smash.
READ: Tomljanovic beats Cornet to reach Wimbledon last eight
Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) beat State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) to seal a…
Rafael Nadal battled into the second round of the Rome Open on Thursday after bouncing…
COLOMBO: Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) on Thursday, announced a strong 15-member squad for the ICC…
DUBLIN: Pakistan men's cricket team will kick off their preparations for the upcoming ICC T20…
LAHORE: Left-arm Pakistan pacer Mohammad Amir, on Thursday, finally received his visa for Ireland to…
The Olympic torch relay began in Marseille on Thursday with football legend Basile Boli taking…