Rafael Nadal was absolutely thrilled with the level of tennis he delivered versus Richard Gasquet as he described as his “performance of the tournament.”
On Saturday, Nadal saw off Gasquet 6-0 6-1 7-5 to progress into the US Open last-16.
After losing a set in each of his first two matches, Nadal closed out Gasquet in straight sets.
Nadal was creating break point chances throughout the match as he realized 7-of-15 of his break points versus Gasquet.
In the third set, Nadal blew an early break, but broke Gasquet again in the 11th game for a 6-5 lead before serving out for the match in the following game.
“My best match in the tournament. Easy to say that because the other day was tough. But, yeah, important improvement. But I need to keep going. It’s a good victory for me. Straight sets for the first time. Third set [was] a challenge. He increased the level,” Nadal said, per the ATP website. “I went through some difficult moments. That’s something that is good, that I went through that and [was] safe [in those] moments with positive feelings. Happy to be in the fourth round, without a doubt.”
Nadal on playing Frances Tiafoe
In the US Open last-16, Nadal plays American Tiafoe.
Nadal and Tiafoe will be going head-to-head for the third time when they meet at the US Open.
Going into the match, Nadal owns a 2-0 record versus Tiafoe.
Nadal is the favorite to beat Tiafoe again, but insists he is not taking the American for granted.
“Second week against a great player like Frances, I need to be ready to play and to raise my level,” Nadal said. “I hope to be able to make that happen. I know it’s the right moment to make an improvement if I want to keep having chances to keep going on the tournament.”