Del Potro Tops Zverev In Shanghai; Nadal v Dimitrov, Federer v Gasquet Friday
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Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer inched closer to a Sunday showdown in Shanghai. Earlier today, Nadal improved his current win streak to 14 after cruising past Fabio Fognini 6-3, 6-1.
“I played a very good match. I don’t know how many mistakes, how many unforced errors, but very few. And I played very well in all aspects,” Nadal said. “I have been doing things very well. So otherwise, of course, big result, 6-3, 6-1 against a player like him that he can winning Verdasco and Pouille, two good matches, for sure today is a very good result for me, and being in quarterfinals of course is great news.”
Nadal, who has never won Beijing, now gets another look at Grigor Dimitrov, who ended Sam Querrey’s hopes. Nadal leads the Bulgarian 9-1. Both prior meeting this year at the Australian Open and Beijing last week went the distance.
“I gonna have a tough match against Grigor,” Nadal said. “I know I have to play my best if I want to keep having chances of success. I hope to be ready to do it, because I am playing well.”
Dimitrov is 1-8 against World No. 1s, defeating Novak Djokovic in the at the 2013 Madrid Masters.
Roger Federer kept pace defeating Alexandr Dolgopolov 6-4, 6-2. Federer now faces Richard Gasquet who he leads 15-2 and 9-0 on hard courts.
“I like playing Gasquet on fast courts,” Federer said. “I hope I can again put in a similar performance like today.”
In the marquee match of the day, Juan Martin del Potro eliminated Alexander Zverev 3-6, 7-6(5), 6-4.
“I think he played a great match, maybe one of the best of the season,” said Zverev. “I think we both played pretty well from the baseline. I don’t know what I could have done better, but for me.”
Del Potro moves on to meet Viktor Troicki who ousted John Isner 6-4, 7-6(6).
“One of my goals for the next year is just to play a whole year — around 20, 22 tournaments would be great for me,” said del Potro. “If my level continues improving, I will get closer to the top guys. But it’s not easy. I have made a big effort after all my injuries to play tennis, but I think I’m doing well.”
The Argentine is a perfect 6-0 against Troicki.
Also, Marin Cilic will meet Alberto Ramos Vinolas in the quarters tomorrow.
In sum, four of the top six seeds made the last eight in Shanghai.
FRIDAY SHANGHAI SCHEDULE
STADIUM start 1:00 pm
[4] M. Cilic (CRO) vs A. Ramos-Vinolas (ESP)
Not Before 2:00 pm
[1] R. Nadal (ESP) vs [6] G. Dimitrov (BUL)
Not Before 6:00 pm
V. Troicki (SRB) vs [16] J. del Potro (ARG)
Not Before 8:00 pm
R. Gasquet (FRA) vs [2] R. Federer (SUI)
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