PARIS: Twelve-time champion Rafael Nadal breezed into his 14th Roland Garros quarterfinal on Sunday (Monday in Manila) as Dominic Thiem survived an epic five-setter and Alexander Zverev stunned the coronavirus-affected tournament by admitting he played despite being sick and was struggling to breathe. On a dramatic windswept and chilly day in the French capital, teenagers Jannik Sinner and Iga Swiatek created shockwaves by reaching their maiden Grand Slam quarter-finals. Nadal beat American qualifier Sebastian Korda 6-1, 6-1, 6-2 to stay comfortably on course for a record-equalling 20th Grand Slam crown. He will next face Italy’s Sinner, 19 and ranked 75, who defeated Zverev 6-3, 6-3, 4-6, 6-3 to become the youngest men’s Grand Slam quarterfinalist since Novak Djokovic in Paris in 2006. Sinner is first player to reach the last eight on his Roland Garros debut since Nadal lifted the trophy in 2005.

Source: Manila Times October 05, 2020 16:22 UTC