Rafael Nadal was braced for the huge serve of John Isner after Spain’s World No 1 bulldozed his way in the China Open quarter-finals on Thursday.
Rafael Nadal earned his season-leading 58th victory by beating Karen Khachanov 6-3, 6-3 to reach the quarterfinals of the China Open Tennis.
The top-ranked Spaniard won the French Open and U.S. Open this year. He saved all six break points. He faced and increased his lead over Roger Federer at the top of the rankings.
John Isner will next face Rafael Nadal. Isner was impressive in blasting his way past Argentina’s Leonardo Mayer 6-0, 6-3.
Nadal said that “Tomorrow will be a tough one against Isner.”
“John is a very good player from the baseline, too. I saw him today. He played so aggressive, having a lot of success, hitting a lot of winners, returning very well.”
Nadal’s quarter-final opponent is tennis veteran John Isner.
The 31-year-old Nadal broke Khachanov, ranked 42 in the world, in the fourth game and was never in serious trouble after that.
The in-form Isner, the American sixth seed, is renowned for his booming service game and Nadal expects to come under a barrage.