NADAL ADVANCES TO MONTREAL QUARTERS, ISNER LAST AMERICAN STANDING BY RICKY DIMON

Written by: Staff on 13th August 2015

NADAL ADVANCES TO MONTREAL QUARTERS, ISNER LAST AMERICAN STANDING BY RICKY DIMON |

Photo by @fedalpova via Instagram.

Nadal advances to Montreal quarters, Isner last American standing

By Ricky Dimon

Rafael Nadal earned a much-needed spot in the Rogers Cup quarterfinals by defeating Mikhail Youzhny 6-3, 6-3 on Thursday afternoon. Nadal did not drop serve a single time but still needed one hour and 41 minutes to set up a showdown with Kei Nishikori.

Youzhny, who had to qualify just to reach the main draw, accounted himself well and played a part in a whole host of entertaining baseline rallies. Still, the Russian was no real match for Nadal.

“When he’s playing like this, of course his ranking [should be] much higher,” Nadal said. “He’s having a tough year, but he play great here. When a player like him is playing well, (he) is very dangerous. (It) was a positive victory for me. I think I played great because he was playing at a good level of tennis.”

Novak Djokovic’s level was even better than good–it was downright outstanding. The top-ranked Serb clobbered Jack Sock 6-2, 6-1 in a mere 54 minutes. Djokovic faced only one break point during the match and lost just four points in his four second-set service games.

“In less than an hour Novak beat Jack Sock 6-2 6-1! He’s trough to the QF where he’ll face either Ernests Gulbis or Donald Young #montreal” – Photo by @novakdjokovicfam via Instagram.

“I never played him before so it took me some time to really figure out what his patterns were of the serves, his game in general,” the No 1 seed reflected. “I think the turning point was the 3‑2 game when I made a break. After that I just felt in control of the match.”

Productive weeks for Sock and Donald Young came to an end (Young lost to a resurgent Ernests Gulbis), but John Isner is still carrying the American flag. With the crowd firmly behind him–and against his opponent–Isner sent Nick Kyrgios packing 7-5, 6-3.

Next up for Isner is Jeremy Chardy, while Djokovic is set to tango with Gulbis on quarterfinal Friday.

Briefs

* Nadal ends Youzhny’s week, will pass Ferrer for No.7 if he beats Nishikori

* Isner disposes of Kyrgios, can only reach top 10 if he wins title

* Tsonga defeats Tomic, clinches return to top 20

* Chardy takes down Karlovic, will make double-digit move into top 40

* Gulbis continues run in Montreal, will climb at least 19 spots into top 70

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

Topics: 10sballs.com, Atp World Tour, jack sock, John Isner, Mikhail Youzhny, Montreal, Novak Djokovic, Rafa Nadal, Ricky Dimon, Rogers Cup tennis, Sports, Tennis News

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10sBalls_com says:

August 13, 2015 at 11:33 pm

-@RafaelNadal ADVANCES TO #Montreal QUARTERS, @JohnIsner LAST AMERICAN STANDING BY @Dimonator http://t.co/d3NpyCFNQr #RogersCup #atpmontreal