Spanish tennis player Rafa Nadal is through to the Monte Carlo Masters quarter-final. Nadal defeated promising Alexander Zverev in the round-of-16 stage on Thursday. Nadal didn't have a tough job in the office, losing just two games against world number 20 Zverev 6-1 6-1. The head-to-head record now sees Nadal having a 3-0 lead over Zverev, according to the ATP site.
Nadal had a good day on his serve, winning 16-of-20 of his first serve points, respectively 12-of-15 of the points behind his second serve. He converted 5-of-12 of his break point opportunities, while giving no break chances to Zverev in the whole match.
The match lasted an hour and eight minutes.
Diego Schwartzman next up for Nadal
Schwartzman of Argentina made it past German Jan-Lennard Struff, who surprised Grigor Dimitrov a day before, to book his place in Friday's last-eight stage. World number 41 Schwartzman didn't have a lot of problems, dropping just three games to Struff in the whole match 6-3 6-0. Nadal and Schwartzman have met three times so far in their careers -- Nadal has a 2-0 lead over Schwartzman.
Stan Wawrinka's run comes to an end
Three-time Grand Slam champion Stan Wawrinka didn't make it past the round-of-16 stage at the Monte Carlo Masters. Wawrinka was defeated by clay-court specialist Pablo Cuevas of Uruguay on Wednesday.
Cuevas needed just two sets to prevail over 2014 Monte Carlo champion Wawrinka 6-4 6-4. Cuevas has taken a 1-0 lead over Wawrinka in the head-to-head record as it was the first-ever match between the two.
Cuevas didn't give many opportunities to Wawrinka on his serve, winning 25-of-30 of his first serve points and 15-of-18 on the second serve.
World number 27 Cuevas didn't face a single break point chance in the match, while he was able to convert 2-of-8 of his break point tries. It took an hour and 16 minutes for the clash to be concluded.
Lucas Pouille quickly reaches the quarter-final
Frenchman Pouille made the Monte Carlo Masters quarter-finals after just 11 minutes of play on Thursday.
Pouille's compatriot Adrian Mannarino retired the match after three games played in the opening set, with Pouille having a 3-0 lead. 11th-seeded Pouille now has achieved his career-best result in Monte Carlo -- previously his best performance at the tournament was the round-of-16 stage achieved last year.
Cuevas and Pouille set to meet on Friday
Cuevas and Pouille will be battling for a semi-final spot when they take on each other at the Monte Carlo Masters in the quarter-final. The two have never met previously – the clash on Friday will be their first ever. It remains to be seen if veteran Cuevas can continue his surge, or will it be rising French Pouille who will prolong his campaign in Monte Carlo.
