"Everyone knows how good he is" - Nadal ahead of Kyrgios clash

Rafael Nadal improved to 18-0 on the year after his win over Opelka and next up for the Spaniard will be Nick Kyrgios.

Rafael Nadal improved to 18-0 for the season with a hard-fought 7-6(3) 7-6(5) win against Reilly Opelka at Indian Wells. Nadal said it was a “great victory” but things will get only tougher for the Spaniard as Nick Kyrgios awaits in the next round. It will be the 10th meeting between the two, with Nadal having won five of the previous meetings.

Speaking after the match, Nadal was acutely aware of the threat a “motivated” Kyrgios presents:

“He’s playing great, no?. He’s one of the toughest opponents on tour – everybody knows how good he is when he’s motivated, probably tomorrow he will be. It’s going to be a good test for me, a good challenge – I’m very excited to be in the quarterfinals.”