By Chris Oddo | Thursday May 11, 2017
Rafael Nadal eased past Nick Kyrgios in much easier than expected manner on Thursday at the Magic Box in Madrid to book a spot alongside David Goffin in the quarterfinal.
The Spaniard’s 6-3, 6-1 victory over Kyrgios increases his tour-leading win total to 31-5. Nadal stretches his current win streak to 12 matches and remains undefeated on clay this season.
“I think I served very well, committed very few errors,” Nadal said. “I think I made a step forward compared to yesterday. Of course, to be able to win 6-3, 6-1, whatever the second was, I can't remember, I think it's great news. I think it's not normal to win against an opponent like this because Nick is a really good opponent.”
Nadal won 55 percent of total return points in the match and broke the Aussie’s serve five times on 11 opportunities. Kyrgios seemed flat from the start, and never really got himself into the match.
“I wasn't expecting myself to play well this week at all,” said Kyrgios, who had to pull out of last week’s Estoril Open to attend his grandfather’s funeral. “I didn't feel too good before the tournament on the court. Wasn't playing well. I won a couple rounds and lost to Rafa. I'm relatively happy with my first week on clay. But he played well tonight. He was by far the better player…”
Nadal improves to 2-1 against Kyrgios with both wins coming on clay. He fell to the Aussie in their first encounter, a memorable meeting at Wimbledon in the round of 16 in 2014.
Nadal will face Goffin for the second time this spring. He defeated the Belgian in the Monte-Carlo semifinals in April.
“He's very fit,” Nadal said. “He's up there with the good players. I know that I have to play at my highest level, perhaps similar to today or even better.”