“All these victories help a little to have more security,” added the Balearic tennis player
He also praised the speed and aggressiveness of his next opponent.
Pleased to have raised the level in the third round of the US Open, Rafael Nadalalready with the pass to the round of 16 in his pocket, assured the media this Saturday that now is when he has to improve even more on the track if he wants to aspire to the top in the last Grand Slam of the year.
“All these victories help a little to have more security. It’s time to growto take a step forward,” he explained.
“In the second week (of the tournament) against a great player like Frances Tiafoe (his opponent in the round of 16), I need to be prepared to play and to raise my level. I hope to be able to make that happen. I know it’s the right time to make an upgrade if I want to keep my chances of continuing in the tournament. today was an improvement and I need another important improvement for the next game,” he added.
After having to come back from a set down in both the first and second rounds, Nadal gave himself this Saturday a placid victory against Frenchman Richard Gasquetwhom he crushed 6-0, 6-1 and 7-5 in two hours and 17 minutes.
Both 36 years old, Gasquet drags a real curse against Nadalwho has defeated him in each and every one of the 18 games they have played and who has won 34 consecutive sets.
“It was my best game in the tournament. It’s easy to say this because the other day was tough,” Nadal commented on his difficult second-round matchup against Fabio Fognini.
In eighths the faces will be seen with the American Frances Tiafoe, who beat Argentina’s Diego Schwartzman in the third round by 7-6(7), 6-4 and 6-4 in 3 hours and two minutes.
“I think he is playing great. He has improved. It is more solid than before. He has more games and years on the circuit. Has experience. He has already competed on the biggest stages and in advanced rounds,” he said of Tiafoe, who is ranked 26th in the ATP.
“He plays with a lot of passion, a lot of energy. It’s very fast. He can play very aggressive. I mean, he’s a player I’m not going to beat if I don’t play well so I need to play well.”