Two-time Champion Rafael Nadal has eased into the quarterfinals at the Abierto Mexicano Telcel Open after thrashing Italy’s Paolo Lorenzi 6-1, 6-1.
The world No.6 was never troubled throughout the 67-minute encounter, facing no break points and winning 57 out of the 86 points played in the match. The victory saw Nadal hit 21 winners compared to just nine unforced errors.
“I think I played a very solid match. I’m very happy with the way I competed tonight.” Said Nadal during his on-court interview.
Nadal has now won 12 consecutive matches in the tournament after winning the title the last two times he played in Mexico (2005 and 2013). Awaiting the world No.6 in the quarterfinals will be Japanese qualifier Yoshihito Nishioka. The world No.86 followed up on his first round win against seventh seed Jack Sock by dismissing Jordan Thompson 6-4, 3-6, 6-0.
“He’s a great player, he came into the tournament from qualifying and he has already won a lot of matches this week, so he’s going to be very confident after winning 6-0 in the third (against Thompson).” Nadal said about playing Nishioka.
“It’s going to be a tough match. He’s a player who doesn’t miss a lot”
Nick Kyrgios distanced himself from his controversial first round antics by producing a straightforward 6-2, 6-4, win over America’s Donald Young. Kyrgios, who was runner-up in Mexico last year, fired nine aces down the line and successfully converted three out of his five break point opportunities. The Australian will next play top seed Novak Djokovic in what will be their first ever meeting on the tour. Djokovic overcame Juan Martin del Potro in a thrilling late-night clash.
“I think my top-10 record’s pretty good. I think I play well against the top-10 players.” Said Kyrgios.
“I’ve beaten nearly all of them, except for maybe Novak and (Japan’s Kei) Nishikori. So I feel comfortable playing those guys. This is why you play the game. You play the game to verse these players on big courts and it’s something you dream of as a little kid.”
Former US Open champion Marin Cilic triumph in three sets against compatriot Borna Coric in what was the second meeting between the two players within the past month. Pushed to his limits throughout the encounter, two consecutive breaks of Coric’s serve during the closing stages of the final set allowed the third seed to clinch the match 6-3, 2-6, 6-3. Cilic faces Steve Johnson in the last eight after the American stunned fifth seed David Goffin 6-2, 6-3.
Finally, defending champion Dominic Thiem overcame a below-par 48% first service rate to battle past France’s Adrian Mannarino 7-5, 6-3. Thiem, who will play Sam Querrey next, is bidding to become only the fourth player in history to win back-to-back titles in the tournament.
