Nadal annihilates Kozlov to reach Acapulco quarterfinal

In one of his most dominant performances this season, Rafael Nadal made short work of lucky loser Stefan Kozlov to reach another quarterfinal at the Abierto Mexicano Acapulco.

The three-time champion seemed relatively unbothered in his 6-0 6-3 victory over the American, dictating play from the start. The Spaniard gave his opponent little room to operate, as he maneuvered Kozlov around the court. Nadal relied on ball depth and precision, finishing points at the net as he refused to surrender a game in the first set.

Although Kozlov finally got on the board in the second, it was to no avail as the 21-time Grand Slam champion quickly obtained a break to lead 3-1. The rest of the match was academic, despite Kozlov's best attempts to prolong the inevitable. The World No.130 was able to obtain a break back when trailing 2-4, but Nadal sealed his victory with another break to advance after an hour and 16 minutes.

The fourth seed will face another American in the quarterfinals, as he takes on Tommy Paul for the first time on the ATP Tour.