Rafael Nadal edged past Uruguay’s Pablo Cuevas 6-3 6-7 (6-8) 6-3 in 2 hours and 20 minutes after a hard-fought match to reach the quarter final in Paris Bercy for the sixth time in his career.
The world No.1 is bidding to win his first title at the tournament. Nadal achieved his best result in Paris Bercy in 2007 when he lost the final against David Nalbandian.
A win in Sunday’s final would score the Roland Garros-Bercy double in the same year for Nadal. He will face Serbian rising star Filip Krajinovic for the first time in tomorrow’s quarter final.
Nadal beat Cuevas for the fourth time their five head-to-head matches. The Spanish star made seven double faults and dropped serve twice in five break points. He converted four of his eight break point chances. In comparison, Cuevas fired 11 aces but won just 54% of his first serve point.
In the first set Cuevas saved three consecutive break points but Nadal converted his chance in the fourth game to take a 3-1 lead. Cuevas entertained the enthusiastic crowd with a spectacular tweener passing shot winner at 1-3. Nadal held on his serve with ease to win the opening set 6-3.
Nadal then went up a set and a break in the third game of the second set to take a 2-1 lead, as Cuevas netted his backhand. Cuevas broke straight back on his second opportunity to draw level to 2-2, when he made a forehand error.
Both players went on serve until the tie-break. Nadal got the first mini-break to take a 3-1 lead. Cuevas broke back to draw level to 4-4. Nadal hit a forehand into the net to face a set point. Cuevas converted it to level the match, as Nadal hit a backhand long.
In the decisive set Nadal broke at 30 in the second game to open up a 3-0 lead. Cuevas broke back on his third opportunity for 2-3 at deuce, when he hit his backhand winner down the line.
Nadal broke for the second time in the sixth game to open up a 4-2 lead and held easily for 5-2 and sealed the win on his first match point, when Cuevas sent a return wide.
The 16-time Grand Slam champion has improved his win-loss record to 4-1 against Cuevas in their head-to-head matches. Cuevas beat Nadal in Rio de Janeiro in 2016.
“It was a very difficult match. Pablo is a very good player. It’s always hard playing against someone for the first time, but I will do my best against Krajinovic”, said Nadal in his on-court interview.
