Nadal dominates for 18th win over Gasquet

Rafael Nadal ran out his 18th win without a loss to longtime rival Richard Gasquet, with the US Open second seed posting a 6-0, 6-1, 7-5 victory into the quarter-finals on Saturday.

Nadal swept the first nine games of the match between a pair of 36-year-olds born 15 days apart in June 1986. The win was his 30th at night in the Ashe stadium.

Nadal has won 34 straight sets in the rivalry since 2008.

The Spaniard will now play American Frances Tiafoe, who booked his spot with an upset of  14th seed Diego Schwartzman 7-6(7), 6-4, 6-4. 

Nadal snapped up the first two sets in 80 minutes, a fast pace for the deliberate Spaniard. . 

Gasquet worked to avoid embarrassment as he woke up in the third set, but was ultimately ground down by his opponent. 

The relentless momentum continued with Nadal bringing home his 38th win of the season after breaking in the penultimate game and serving out the evening encounter in two and a quarter hours.

“Night sessions here are the best in the world,” Nadal said in victory, to play here is amazing.

“I increased my level today and I have to do that again when I play Frances.

“I was happy to play against a good friend like Richard, nice to see him in the later rounds of a tournament.

“This victory will hopefully help me raise my confidence.”

2014 tournament winner Marin Cilic beat Brit Dan Evans 7-6(11), 6-7(3), 6-2, 7-5, a victory which took nearly four hours.

Evans was broken in the final game, double-faulting and hitting the net with a backhand to set up Cilic match point,

The Croat earned victory as his opponent’s return landed wide.

Main photo:- Rafa Nadal serves during third round match – by Roger Parker International Sports Fotos Ltd