Make that 18 on the run 🙌 @RafaelNadal passes the Opelka test 7-6 7-6 and moves into his 12th QF in the desert! #IndianWells
Rafael Nadal improved to 18-0 on the year with another strong performance and win over Reilly Opelka 7-6(3) 7-6(5).
Rafael Nadal keeps on winning and despite facing very strong opposition from Opelka, the Spaniard was able to keep in control for the majority of the match. The first set went largely as expected as the American was able to keep Nadal away from many break points allowing only one. His serve worked rather well and gave him enough separation from Nadal.
On return, Opelka did win points here and there but he was never able to put Nadal under too much pressure. Every time he was close to it, Nadal would simply mix it up and that would solve the issue. In the tiebreak it was more of the same with Nadal doing just enough to win it 7-3.
The 2nd set actually featured more aggressive play by Opelka as he understood that he needed to if he wanted to do anything. After saving a break point at 2-1 for Nadal, Opelka broke Nadal to give himself a 4-2 lead and a pretty good chance to win the 2nd chance. Nadal only had two break points up until that point and it looked complicated.
Opelka missed a golden chance at 4-2 when he had 40-15 on Nadal's serve but the Spaniard was able to save that game and actually break Opelka in the next one to make it 4-4. After that, we ended up in a tiebreak where Nadal once again outplayed his opponent. Another comeback by Nadal who is exceptional when trailing in a set or match this year.
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