‘Happy’ Rafael Nadal claims ATP Tour win No 1,001 as he reaches Paris Masters quarter-final

ATP Tour
Rafael Nadal fully focused

Rafael Nadal held off Jordan Thompson in the Paris Masters third round to secure his 1,001st ATP Tour-level win and keep his hopes of a maiden title in Paris-Bercy alive.

Just a day after becoming only the fourth player in Open Era to secure 1,000 match wins, Nadal earned a 6-1, 7-6 (7-3) win over the Australian to reach the quarter-final.

The Spaniard broke twice in the opening set, but Thompson was more secure on his serve in the second set as there were no breaks. However, Nadal dominated the tie-breaker.

“I think I played a good first set. A lot of good shots, good winners, serving well. And then in the second, [I] was not able to find a way to [get] the break,” the 20-time Grand Slam winner said after the match. “He started to serve very well, I think, and I missed a couple of returns that I could do better, I should do better.”

WATCH: Highlights of Rafael Nadal’s 1,000th win, stats galore, ATP tribute as he reflects on memorable matches

He added: “I think he increased a lot [his] level in the second set. He played well, so I give credit to him. I only faced one break point with my serve during the whole match, but [it] was a set point, and a tough one. That’s a positive thing with my serve. And on return I think I did it very well in the first and I could do it better in the second. I found a way.

“In the tie-break I saved a couple of break points. Second point of the tie-break had huge importance, too. [Reaching the] quarter-finals, that’s the most important thing for me. I’m happy.”

The Spaniard will face compatriot Pablo Carreno Busta, who beat Slovak Norbert Gombos 7-5, 6-2.

Diego Schwartzman moved closer to securing a place in the ATP Finals at London’s O2 Arena after beating Alejandro Davidovich Fokina 6-1, 6-1.

Next up is Russia’s Daniil Medvedev, who beat Australia’s Alex de Minaur 5-7, 6-2, 6-2 while Stan Wawrinka defeated Andrey Rublev 1-6, 6-4, 6-3.

Follow us on Twitter @T365Official and like our Facebook page.

Diego Schwartzman Rafael Nadal

Latest