Nadal finds better rhythym in this game, and dispatches Auger-Aliassime, who overpowers at least two shots to send them out, quickly.
Auger-Aliassime is forced to hit long, and Nadal takes the game with ease. Nadal faults, and Auger-Aliassime has the chance, as his opponent did, to break his serve. But Nadal can be bested, and a well-placed shot glances the wrong way, leaving Nadal unable to run for it. Nadal returns easily, and wins a point firing a shot down the line with the smallest effort to go 0-30 up. He sends another fault into the sideline, and Auger-Aliassime has another attempt to break from advantage. The timings he can draw out of his shots can leave opponents baffled, and he sets up Auger-Aliassime to miss a well-weighted, considered shot. He double faults, and Nadal has broken back to win the game. Since 2015, Nadal has been able to break back nearly 50% of the time after he is broken at Roland Garros, which is quite the challenge to meet. Nadal sends a shot out to bring the players level on 30 all. Auger-Aliassime opens the points, but Nadal, mostly on his second serve, stems his advance, but sends his next return long to level them at 30 all. Nadal plucks a high dropshot out of the air and smashes it, once to be returned, then again up and out over Auger-Aliassime's head. Auger-Aliassime delivers his second ace of the match to stop Nadal from making good on his break point.
NOVAK DJOKOVIC could face long-time rival Rafael Nadal in the French Open quarter-final.
The world No 1 also touched on the fact that he and his long-time rival will be requesting different sessions if they face off in Tuesday’s quarter-final, with the fifth seed preferring the day session conditions while Djokovic played better than Nadal at night. Djokovic and Nadal could face off for the 59th time in their careers in the French Open quarter final. And the Serb was feeling confident ahead of what could be his first meeting with Nadal in a year, after he downed the 13-time champion in four sets in the 2021 semi-final.
Rafael Nadal won a Roland Garros thriller Sunday as he survived a major scare from Felix Auger-Aliassime to set a blockbuster quarter-final showdown with ...
I was able to play more aggressive and go more often to the net and it made a difference without a doubt.” The other seven all rose to World No. 1 in the Pepperstone ATP Rankings in their careers. He gained the crucial break in the eighth game before he held serve to secure his victory, letting out a roar in delight. Auger-Aliassime refused to go away though at the start of the fourth set, securing early breaks to swing momentum back in his favour as he hit 14 winners in the set and held his nerve to force a decider. He has a huge serve and I was not able to push him back. “The beginning of the fourth was very tough. With his victory, the 35-year-old has now reached the quarter-finals in 16 of his 18 appearances in Paris. Prior to Sunday, Nadal had been taken to five sets in just two of his 111 matches at the event. He reduced the unforced errors, targeting the World No. 9’s backhand with heavy topspin to dictate. The only thing I can guarantee is that I am going to fight until the end.” The Canadian’s flat hitting and depth forced Nadal into errors with the Canadian breaking twice to move ahead. However, the 13-time champion kept his composure and demonstrated his trademark winning mentality to advance after four hours and 23 minutes on a court he has had so much success on.
Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic will meet in the Roland Garros quarterfinals on Tuesday. Here's a breakdown of their rivalry by the numbers.
21: After capturing the Australian Open in January, Nadal is the all-time men’s leader with 21 Grand Slam singles titles. He is seeking to extend his record with a 22nd major title, while Djokovic is looking to tie him at 21. Nadal broke in the eighth game of the fifth set and then served it out with a forehand winner into the open court after a short rally. I am glad because I didn’t spend too much time on the court, because it will be physical. The only thing I can guarantee is I’m going to fight until the end, so many thanks.” And the only thing that I can tell you is I’m going to be focused since [Monday], going to try my best as always.
The Spaniard booked his 16th quarter-final at Roland Garros after playing out a five set thriller with the Canadian Auger-Aliassime - to set up an exciting ...
The Spaniard will now face Novak Djokovic in the quarter-finals of the competition We have a lot of history together,' Nadal said of Djokovic. 'I am going to be focused, I will try my best. - Rafael Nadal beat Felix Auger-Aliassime 6-3 3-6 2-6 6-3 3-6 in the French Open
Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic will play in the French Open quarterfinals after each won his fourth round match at Roland Garros.
I’m glad that I didn’t spend too much time on the court myself up to quarterfinals, knowing that playing him in Roland Garros is always a physical battle, along with everything else,” said Djokovic, who beat 15th-seeded Diego Schwartzman 6-1, 6-3, 6-3 earlier Sunday and has won all 12 sets he’s played in the tournament. Looking at the larger picture, Nadal’s record 13 championships at Roland Garros are part of his haul of 21 Grand Slam trophies, a record for men. Djokovic leads 30-28, although Nadal has a 7-2 advantage at the French Open.
With broadcasters, organisers and the players all at odds with each other, there is no right answer when it comes to Tuesday's order of play.
At night usually in all slams, in all tournaments, the atmosphere is more energetic, more electric, crowd gets into it. “It’s nice to have the full crowd. Obviously, depending on who you play, sometimes it’s favourable to play night; sometimes day. i understands that Amazon are expected to win the battle with France Télévisions, the state-owned broadcaster who have the rest of the rights to the tournament to have Nadal vs Djokovic scheduled in their slot. TV, whether they want your match, day or night,” Djokovic said. “I think that makes a big difference who plays tennis on clay during the night and during the day.”