World number one Rafael Nadal had another tough three-set match at this week’s Rome Masters after eliminating Mikhail Youzhny 6-7, 6-2, 6-1 to reach the quarterfinals of this ATP Masters 1000 tournament. Nadal will next face Andy Murray after the latter eliminated Jurgen Melzer.
“I played with passion and motivation even if the feeling was not perfect,” said Nadal. “That’s always very good news, because when you have a lot of opportunities during the match, you keep fighting, trying to find solutions. That always means that you really want to win.”
The last Nadal vs Murray match was back in 2011. Nadal has a 13-5 head to head series lead over Murray.
“It’s a positive match to play because you play against one of the best player of the world after two tough days,” said Nadal. “I don’t know how he has changed his play. I know he has a complete game but I have to focus on myself.”
Nadal is aiming for an eighth Rome Masters title and looks to extend his Masters haul to 28. He extended the record haul of ATP Masters 1000 titles to 27 last weekend when he won the Madrid Masters title for the fourth time.
