Nadal holds off late Dutch threat

Rafael Nadal had to fight off a late charge from a determined Dutchman to achieve a 6-3, 6-2, 6-4 win into the fourth round of the French Open on Friday.

Botic van de Zandschulp provided a third-set scare as the No. 29 rallied from 4-love down and saved a match point before Nadal drove home the win in two and a quarter hours.

“I had my chance with a break point for 5-0,” the Spaniard said. “But he made an ace.

“I played a bad game and he was very aggressive. You always feel the nerves a bit trying to finish a match.

“I’m happy I finished in straight sets. The first two and a half sets were my best of the tournament.”

The fifth seed held his unforced error count to 13 while his opponent had 31, losing serve six times.

Nadal moved into a match against Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime, who beat Serb Filip Krajinovic 7-6(3), 7-6(2), 7-5.

Bill Scott

Recent Posts

Tenth time lucky as Li knocks out Sabalenka

American outsider Ann Li produced the upset of her life on Wednesday, taking 10 match points…

2 days ago

Zverev to take over as world No. 1

Alexander Zverev will claim world year-end No. 1 honours for the first time on the…

3 days ago

Grumpy Mac lashes out at player sked complaints

John McEnroe has used a trip to Spain to come down hard on modern player…

6 days ago

Alcaraz back for another 1-Point Slam appearance

Carlos Alcaraz will headline the field as the Australian Open stages its 1-Point Slam for…

1 week ago

Djoko to skip Shanghai after Beijing title miracle

Novak Djokovic is wisely choosing not to tempt fate, with the China Open winner withdrawing…

1 week ago

Djokovic backs into 7th Beijing title as injured de Minaur quits

Novak Djokovic retained his magic touch at the China Open, winning his seventh title without…

1 week ago