Nadal advances with authority to the round of 16 in Paris

Djokovic, the Spaniard's potential rival in the quarterfinals, is also firm in the next round after easily beating Bedene

   MADRID, 27 May. (EUROPA PRESS) -

The Spanish tennis player Rafa Nadal advanced with authority and without excessive trouble to the round of 16 at Roland Garros after beating the Dutchman Van de Zandschulps in three sets, in a duel he controlled from start to finish, except for an attempt to annoy the number 29 in the world, with very deep tennis and setting the pace of the game at all times, suffocating his rival, who was greatly outmatched.

The champion in the Australian Open, Melbourne and Acapulco in this 2022 defeated the Dutchman 3-6, 2-6 and 4-6, apathetic and out of the rhythm set by the Spanish, and with a threat of a comeback in the third set, in a full Suzanne Lenglen, to maintain a firm and forceful step and continue on her way in her fetish tournament.

The Spaniard started the match on the wrong foot with a 'break' against, a setback that seems to have woken up Nadal, who from that setback did not stop growing in the set, based on winning shots and a very deep drive. The one from Manacor started very contemplative, but quickly increased the rhythm and the speed of the ball, much more connected and concentrated, to lock up the Dutchman, handcuffed by the good end of the first set of the Spanish, who closed 3-6.

With the same enthusiasm and firmness, Nadal started the second set, very comfortable and making it very easy with his effective forehand, against which Van De Zandschulps could do nothing, braver and supported by a powerful drive, sometimes somewhat uncontrolled.

This trend was translated into the scoreboard, with two quick 'breaks' for Rafa Nadal that allowed him to make it 5-1 in less than half an hour. And he continued that firm path to close this second round (2-6) with his first direct serve of the match.

The start of the third set for the thirteen-time champion on Parisian soil could not have been better, breaking the Dutchman's serve to put the match sentence on track. In this round, in which he made it 0-3 in less than 20 minutes, a more versatile Nadal could be seen, knowing how to suffer and bringing out his best defense, without losing control or authority in the match.

The Dutchman was able to open his locker in the third set with 1-4, although without abandoning that feeling of helplessness caused by Nadal's high-flying tennis. However, the script for this third set was turned upside down and Van de Zandschulps set out to give the Spaniard a war and put Nadal in trouble by getting closer on the scoreboard (4-5).

Finally, Nadal knew how to close (4-6) a simple match showing his best level, before beginning the hardest path of the tournament with the round of 16, in which he will face the Canadian Auger-Aliassime, who won Serbian Filip Krajinovic in third round in three sets (7-6, 7-6, 7-5)

Meanwhile, Djokovic, the Spaniard's possible rival in the quarterfinals, beat Slovenian Aljaz Bedene (6-3, 6-3, 6-2). The world number one and defending Roland Garros champion will be in the round of 16 in Paris for the sixteenth time in his career, thanks to his 84th victory in the tournament. His rival in the next round will be the Argentine Diego Schwartzman, who beat Grigor Dimitrov (6-3, 6-1, 6-2).