The presence of Nadal, Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray in the last-eight offers the promise of something special as the players gear up for the US Open.
Nadal looked every bit the cutting-edge tennis powerhouse as he bashed South African Kevin Anderson 6-2, 7-6 from the baseline.
“I played well in the first set and thought I was in control in the second at 4-2,” said Nadal “But he broke me and I had to play a good tiebreaker to win. To make the quarter-finals of a big event like this is important.”
Meanwhile, the Spaniard’s archrival Federer eased into the quarter-finals with a 7-6, 6-3 win over Frenchman Michael Llodra, setting up a grudge match with Czech nemesis Tomas Berdych, who booked his place with a 6-3, 6-7, 6-4 win over Ukraine’s Alexandr Dolgopolov.
Murray, Djokovic struggle to advance
Murray survived a rollercoaster ride into quarter-finals with a wild 6-2, 0-6, 6-3 win over Frenchman Gael Monfils, while Djokovic, who nearly wilted under the intense heat during his opening match, was back looking fresh and fit as he swept past Romanian Victor Hanescu 6-3, 6-4.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 14th, 2010.
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