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

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.
1000… plus 1️⃣@RafaelNadal battles past Jordan Thompon to take his place in the Paris quarter-finals, 6-1 7-6(3). #RolexParisMasters pic.twitter.com/T33hkBBEZr
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) November 5, 2020
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.
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