Rafa gets it done! 💪 🇪🇸 @RafaelNadal holds off Thompson 6-1, 7-6(3) and has reached at least the QFs in all eight of his @RolexPMasters appearances. #RolexParisMasters
Nadal believes his best is yet to come following third-round victory in Paris: "I could do better, I should do better"
ATPFriday, 06 November 2020 at 10:15
Top seed Rafael Nadal continued his push for his first Paris Masters title on Thursday, as he defeated Australian Jordan Thompson to advance to the quarterfinals.
A day after recording his 1,000th ATP match-win, the Spaniard edged past his Aussie opponent 6-1 7-6(3) to reach his eighth quarterfinal at the event.
"I think I played a good first set. A lot of good shots, good winners, serving well. And then in the second, I was not able to find a way to get the break," Nadal said post-match. "He started to serve very well, I think, and I missed a couple of returns that I could do better, I should do better."
Although the World No.2 breezed through the first set, Thompson fought back to earn a set point in the second. However, Nadal dictated play to force a tiebreak and emerged victorious after an hour and 33 minutes.
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"I think he increased a lot his level in the second set. He played well, so I give credit to him," Nadal added. "I only faced one break point with my serve during the whole match, but it was a set point, and a tough one. That's a positive thing with my serve. And on return I think I did it very well in the first and I could do it better in the second. I found a way.
"In the tie-break I saved a couple of break points. Second point of the tie-break had huge importance, too. [Reaching the] quarter-finals, that's the most important thing for me. I'm happy."
The Spaniard will face compatriot Pablo Carreno Busta in the quarterfinals, as the ninth seed defeated qualifier Norbert Gombos 7-5 6-2 earlier in the day.
"I need to be ready to play my best against an opponent that I know is playing well and with confidence," Nadal said. "I hope to be ready to play my game and really read well, because that's what I'm going to need."
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