"I think I played better than yesterday" - Nadal on surviving Nishikori encounter

In his second consecutive three-set match, Rafael Nadal somehow pulled off another miraculous escape as he overcame Kei Nishikori in the round of 16 at the Barcelona Open.

Having being pushed to three sets on Wednesday by qualifier Ilya Ivashka, the 11-time Barcelona champion required another exhausting performance on Thursday to get past Kei Nishikori. After taking the first set 6-0, the Spaniard was overwhelmed by the former World No.4 in the second, before finally exerting control and prevailing 6-0 2-6 6-2 in two hours and 19 minutes.

“I think I played much better than yesterday; that’s a very important thing for me,” Nadal said after his match. “The level of positive energy was higher, so I’m very satisfied.”

Improving his career Barcelona record to 63-4, the World No.3 will face Cameron Norrie in the quarterfinals. The Brit defeated David Goffin 6-0 3-5, after the Belgian was forced to retire with a right leg injury.