Spain's Rafael Nadal celebrates beating Netherlands' Botic Van De Zandschulp during their round of 16 men's singles tennis match on the eighth day of the 2022 Wimbledon Championships at The All England Tennis Club in Wimbledon, southwest London, on Monday Spain's Rafael Nadal celebrates beating Netherlands' Botic Van De Zandschulp during their round of 16 men's singles tennis match on the eighth day of the 2022 Wimbledon Championships at The All England Tennis Club in Wimbledon, southwest London, on Monday. Picture: Glyn Kirk, AFP
London — Rafael Nadal reached the Wimbledon quarter-finals for the eighth time on Monday with a straight-sets defeat of Botic van de Zandschulp.
Nadal, who has already won the Australian and French Opens to stand halfway to the first calendar Grand Slam since 1969, triumphed 6-4, 6-2, 7-6 (8/6).
Next up for the 36-year-old Spaniard is a clash against American 11th seed Taylor Fritz, who beat him in the Indian Wells final earlier in the year.
ALSO READ: Rafael Nadal eases into Wimbledon last 16
“To be back in the quarter-finals after not being here for three years is amazing," said the 2008 and 2010 champion,
“I expect a very tough match against Taylor – he won his first Masters title this year against me in the final.
“The quarter-finals of a Slam are always very tough.”
"A very emotional moment"@RafaelNadal reflects on sharing Centre Court with legends past and present#Wimbledon | #CentreCourt100 pic.twitter.com/0MLEQwVHHQ
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 4, 2022
Nadal had already defeated Van de Zandschulp in straight sets at the French Open and he was hardly troubled Monday until a third set blip.
He broke the world number 25 Dutchman in the 10th game to secure the opening set.
The 22-time major winner backed it up with a double break in the second set.
Van de Zandschulp managed to stem the bleeding, retrieving a break in the third to get to a tiebreak.
He saved three match points before his challenge ended with a wild smash.
AFP
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