Rafael Nadal swatted aside the latest challenge to his seemingly inexorable march towards an 11th French Open title.
The Spaniard’s strength and power on his favourite surface was too much for French 27th seed Richard Gasquet in an emphatic 6-3 6-2 6-2 win.
Nadal has yet to drop a set in this year’s tournament and has now won 34 consecutive sets at Roland Garros. Most observers, and probably most players, feel he is currently invincible on the clay of Paris.
34 consecutive sets on clay!@RafaelNadal too good for Gasquet 6-3 6-2 6-2 to reach the R16.#RG18 pic.twitter.com/hSaxZhyC7r
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 2, 2018
However, Nadal said: “I don’t know what the others think. All I know is about me.
“What I know is I go to the court, and I know that I could very well lose. I can win, I can lose. I don’t come here saying ‘you can’t win against me’.
“Of course I have won a lot, and it can maybe influence my opponents. But that’s their thing. It’s their problem. I can’t answer about that.”
Day = made ??
(That nod from his mate at :40, though ?)
?️: @rolandgarros pic.twitter.com/91PS2gxUC1
— ATP World Tour (@ATPWorldTour) June 2, 2018
Germany’s Max Marterer, the 22-year-old world number 70, is next up to have a shot at the world number one in the last 16.
“I need to take care about what’s going on. I hope to be ready to play a good match,” added Nadal.
“I think I’m improving, too, every day. Playing better and better. And that’s my goal and my way.
“Richard is a good friend and is a nice person. We grew up together, with a lot of talk between both of us when we were kids. Now we’re older, that’s all.
Always great sportsmanship between these two.#RG18 pic.twitter.com/tQW5RJwLYL
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 2, 2018
“It was a great feeling. It was emotional thing for me to play with him here on this court.”
Sixth seed Kevin Anderson is a potential quarter-final opponent for Nadal after beating Mischa Zverev 6-1 6-7 (3-7) 6-3 7-6 (7/4).
Croatia’s Marin Cilic, the third seed, came through with no fuss 6-3 6-2 6-4 against American Steve Johnson.
Fights back from the brink!@David_Goffin saves four match points to defeat Monfils in a thriller, 6-7(6) 6-3 4-6 7-5 6-3.#RG18 pic.twitter.com/3WCfLp1YFL
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 2, 2018
Eighth seed David Goffin won in five tempestuous sets against France’s Gael Monfils.
The Belgian appeared to exchange angry words with his opponent during one changeover after Monfils was given a time violation before running out 6-7 (6/8) 6-3 4-6 7-5 6-3 winner.
Italian 18th seed Fabio Fognini also came through a five-setter to oust Britain’s Kyle Edmund, the 16th seed.
?? Fabio Fognini overcomes Kyle Edmund in a thrilling five-set battle at @rolandgarros on Saturday.
Read More ▶️ https://t.co/2kco067hCT pic.twitter.com/JiRyAJ05VY
— ATP World Tour (@ATPWorldTour) June 2, 2018
Frenchman Lucas Pouille, seeded 15, was dumped out by Russia’s Karen Khachanov 6-3 7-5 6-3.
