Nadal through to US Open quarters with ease
Rafael Nadal convincingly overcame Feliciano Lopez in the fourth round of the US Open late Tuesday evening.
The Spanish encounter began later than expected due to several of the day's previous matches running late.
When things finally got underway, Nadal convincingly defeated his countryman in less than two hours, winning 6-3 6-4 6-4 in three straight sets to progress to the quarter-finals.
"I think I am playing well, but I am not playing yet at my highest level," Nadal said after the match. "I am playing better and better every day and I had to play a little bit better this match."
Strong start from the top seed
Nadal, who is yet to lose a set or have his serve broken in the tournament, began the first set by breaking Lopez' first service game.
Lopez could only watch as the top seed hit a daring smash to return his serve. At 3–0 in the first set, Lopez had only claimed one point in the match.
Lopez improved his game as the set continued, holding his service games with more ease, but Nadal also held his and won 6–3.
The early stages saw the 28-year-old improve his serve against the top seed, but two disappointing forehand shots gifted Nadal a break at 2–2.
Nadal nearly broke again at 4–2 after a thrilling set of exchanges, but Lopez regained his composure to hold the game.
In a sharper display, Nadal could have broken three games in the second set, but he made do with only one as he claimed it 6–4.
The final set was Lopez' best, as he managed to hold Nadal until 4–4, when the top seed hit a fine, backhanded shot before Lopez' forehand failed him once again. Nadal served comfortably in the final game of the match, sealing the win in less than two hours.
Ultimately, Lopez' focus failed him during the match. With 41 unforced errors, any chances of defeating the world's best player quickly diminish.
"To be in quarter-final of the US Open without losing a set and without losing a serve, two things must work really well: the concentration and the serve," Nadal said after the victory.
Verdasco awaits in the quarter-finals
The world number one now faces another Spaniard in Thursday's quarter final, Fernando Verdasco, the highest ranked Spanish player behind the seemingly untouchable Nadal.
After exiting in the semi-finals in the last two years, the 24-year-old looks poised to reach the final in New York this time around.
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