NADAL GETS BY IN HAMBURG, ISNER ROLLS ALONG IN ATLANTA & MORE TENNIS NEWS & UPDATES BY RICKY DIMON

Written by: Staff on 30th July 2015

NADAL GETS BY IN HAMBURG, ISNER ROLLS ALONG IN ATLANTA & MORE TENNIS NEWS & UPDATES BY RICKY DIMON

John Isner of the US in action against Radek Stepanek of the Czech Republic during a second round match at the BB&T Atlanta Open tennis tournament at Atlantic Station in Atlanta, Georgia, USA, 30 July 2015. EPA/ERIK S. LESSER |

Nadal gets by in Hamburg, Isner rolls along in Atlanta

By Ricky Dimon

Rafael Nadal may not have been his completely dominant self, but by recent standards the performance was a decent one on Thursday at the bet-at-home Open. Nadal beat Jiri Vesely 6-4, 7-6(2) in two hours and 11 minutes to set up a quarterfinal showdown against Pablo Cuevas.

The top-seeded Spaniard got broken a ridiculous three times in the second frame of play alone (saved none of three break points) but steadied himself in the ensuing ‘breaker to seal the deal.

Rafael Nadal of Spain returns the ball to Jiri Vesely of the Czech Republic during their second round match at the ATP tennis tournament in Hamburg, Germany, 30 July 2015. EPA/DANIEL BOCKWOLDT

“I think I played a good match,” Nadal commented. “Something that I am proud of today, very happy with, (is) my attitude and (I’m) very happy with the way that I played. I just need a little bit more consistency.”

The world No. 10 is joined in the Hamburg quarterfinals by Cuevas, Andreas Seppi, and Simone Bolelli. Seppi and Bolelli will face each other in an all-Italian showdown on Friday. Compatriot Fabio Fognini is also part of the last eight.

In Atlanta, meanwhile, John Isner was the only one of four seeds in action who escaped doom on Thursday. No. 8 Benjamin Becker went down to Dudi Sela, No. 6 Steve Johnson bowed out to Ricardas Berankis, and No. 3 Jack Sock was taken out by fellow American Denis Kudla.

Isner also flirted with disaster, trailing by service breaks in each of the two sets against Radek Stepank. But the two-time defending champion fired an amazing 33 aces and battled his way to a 7-6(3), 7-6(7) triumph.

Briefs

Hamburg

* Nadal advances to Hamburg quarters, will pass Raonic for No. 9 with title

* Cuevas likely into top 30 after winning three-setter against Janowicz

* Seppi expected to rise into top 25 thanks to overcoming Mayer

Gstaad

* Goffin blasts Zeballos, but cannot climb above 14th even with Gstaad title

* Sousa outlasts Istomin, can reach top 40 with one more victory

* Carreno Busta tops Haase, needs Gstaad final to move into top 50

* Thiem stays hot by beating Delbonis, needs another win to stay No. 24

Atlanta

* Isner serves his way past Stepanek, must win Atlanta to improve from 19th

* Berankis takes out Johnson, will reach top 80 with one more win

* Sela still rolling in Atlanta, likely making double-digit jump near No. 120

* Sock crashes out to Kudla, who will soar into top 80 with semifinal

Ricky contributes to 10sballs.com and also maintains his own tennis website, The Grandstand.

Topics: 10sballs.com, Atp World Tour, BB&T Atlanta Open, John Isner, Rafa Nadal, Ricky Dimon, Sports, Tennis News

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10sBalls_com says:

July 30, 2015 at 10:49 pm

-@RafaelNadal GETS BY IN #HAMBURG, @JohnIsner ROLLS ALONG IN #ATLANTA & MORE #TENNIS NEWS & UPDATES BY @Dimonator- http://t.co/DlUofyoHz6