ATP Paris: Rafael Nadal beats Jordan Thompson to reach quarter-final

World no. 2 Rafael Nadal is through to his eighth quarter-final in Paris from as many trips to the French capital, beating Jordan Thompson 6-1, 7-6. Nadal grabbed the 388th Masters 1000 victory and 1001st on the Tour since 2002, celebrating a massive milestone on Wednesday and turning the focus on winning one of few notable titles he still misses in his rich collection. Rafa lost 12 points on serve, fending off the only break point and delivering two breaks in the opener. Nadal had to dig deep in set number two, creating no chances on the return but sealing the deal in the tie break to move over the top in straight sets. Unlike yesterday against Lopez, it was an excellent start for the Spaniard, taking control early on and wrapping up the opener in just over 30 minutes. Rafa had eight winners and eight unforced errors and dominated the shortest, mid-range and most extended exchanges to race towards 6-1, losing five points on serve and earning two breaks.

Thompson saved a break point in game two when Nadal sprayed a backhand error, with Rafa opening a 2-1 gap after a well-constructed attack a few minutes later. Jordan got broken after rushing to the net in game four, falling 3-1 behind and allowing Rafa to forge a 4-1 advantage with a hold at love. Gathering momentum, the Spaniard scored a break at 15 in game six with a beautiful volley winner, bringing the set home on his fourth chance at 5-1. The Aussie clinched the second set's opening game with an ace down the T line before Rafa held at love with an unreturned serve for 1-1.

Rafael Nadal is through to his eighth quarter-final in Paris.

Finding the rhythm behind the initial shot, Jordan placed another ace in game three, already playing much better than in the entire opening set. The lower-ranked player fired a forehand winner in game five to remain in front, followed by Nadal who hit a forehand winner for a comfortable hold and 3-3.

Enduring the rallies and finding that perfect T line spot, Jordan wrapped up another game to open a 4-3 gap, with Nadal matching that pace and securing another service game for 4-4. Struggling to find the return rhythm, Rafa lost the ninth game thanks to another ace down the T line from the Aussie, who earned a set point at 6-5 following Nadal's double fault. The Spaniard saved it after an extended rally and a risky forehand, producing two more winners to reach a tie break and gain momentum. Leading 2-1, Rafa grabbed a mini-break when Jordan netted a volley, opening a 4-2 gap with a forehand down the line winner. A smash winner pushed Nadal 5-2 up, securing another mini-break in the eighth point and moving over the top with a forced error from Thompson in the tenth point. 

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/2TVZ1U7