World number four Rafael Nadal ended the impressive run of Australian qualifier Marinko Matosevic 6-2, 6-4 at the Montreal Masters 2013 quarterfinals on Friday. The victory means that Nadal has booked a semifinal match with rival and three-time winner Novak Djokovic in the semifinals. Djokovic eliminated Frenchman Richard Gasquet 6-1, 6-2 in the other quarterfinal.
“I think I played well,” Nadal said. “I played a positive match. To win 6-2, 6-4 against a tough opponent, it is impossible to play bad. I am happy the way I played. To start the hard court season like this with semi-finals is a great start.”
Nadal is a two-time champion at the Rogers Cup – in 2005 (defeated Andre Agassi) and 2008 (defeated Nicolas Kiefer). He has an eight-match win streak so far in hardcourt events this year, having won the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells in March.
“It is something I accept. It is not a problem for me. I am happy the way that I am playing this week. I am gonna fight for the match tomorrow. I am excited to play against a very tough opponent, one of the best, the best today. I need to play my best tomorrow if I want to have any chance,” he said, referring to his upcoming 36th meeting with Djokovic.
Nadal is gunning for a record 25th ATP World Tour Masters 1000 title.
