Two-time US Open champion Rafael Nadal trounced Ukraine's Alexandr Dolgopolov in straight sets to book a quarter-final berth in the men's singles at the US Open on Monday.
Nadal produced a near to perfect display of his skill and all-around play to advance to the last eight in the men's singles. The Spaniard also moved a victory away from the possible semifinal showdown with his longtime rival at the only major where they have never met.
"Every victory, every set that you win, is more confidence. That what's I am doing," Nadal said. The closer Rafael Nadal gets to a potential long-awaited U.S. Open matchup with Roger Federer, the better he is playing.
Meanwhile, Russian teenager Andrey Rublev caused a major upset in the men's draw by knocking out Belgium's ninth seed David Goffin. The Russian teenager defeated his more experienced Belgian opponent 7-5, 7-6 (5), 6-3 in straight sets.
Admittedly, the ninth seed has been bothered by a left knee injury but that didn’t account for the loss. Rublev Rubi, as he’s known was simply the superior, savvier and defter player on the court, particularly in the clutch second-set tiebreak.
“It was a tough match,” Goffin said. “He was playing really fast, left and right. He was really aggressive. It was almost impossible to win today.”