Record streak
Rafa Nadal wins his 50th consecutive set on a single surface in Madrid
MADRID — World No 1 Rafa Nadal set a record by winning his 50th consecutive set on a single surface with a 6-3, 6-4 victory over Argentine Diego Schwartzman on Thursday to reach the quarterfinals of the Madrid Open.
Nadal eclipsed John McEnroe’s previous record of 49 consecutive sets on carpet — which had stood since 1984 — by seeing off 13th seed Schwartzman and claiming a 21st consecutive win on clay.
Nadal will face Austrian Dominic Thiem in the last eight on Friday in pursuit of a sixth Madrid Open title after beginning the claycourt season by winning an 11th Monte Carlo Masters and lifting the Barcelona Open trophy for the 11th time.
Nadal said he was unaware of the record.
“I don’t go out there and think about that kind of thing. I just think about my opponent, what I have to do to keep on going. That’s all,” Nadal said at a post-match media conference.
“When my career is over, these are things that are going to be there for always. They are big records. It’s difficult to be able to win 50 sets in a row. But I’ve done it.
“Let’s not talk about that any more; let’s continue on what we have ahead.”
World No 6 Juan Martin del Potro crashed out of the tournament after Serbia’s Dusan Lajovic came back from a set down to beat the Argentine 3-6 6-4 7-6(6) in the third round.
Del Potro looked in complete control as he converted two break-point opportunities to take the opening set but Lajovic, ranked 95th in the world, dug deep to stay in the contest.
A break midway through the second set was enough for Lajovic to force a decider before he wrapped up his first career victory over a top10 opponent in the tiebreak.
“It’s for sure my best win, and definitely one of the best matches I’ve played,” he said.
“I still am not believing it 100 percent, but I know I deserved to win today.”
In the quarterfinals, Lajovic will meet South Africa’s Kevin Anderson, who overcame Germany’s Philipp Kohlschreiber 6-3, 7-6(7).
Britain’s Kyle Edmund followed up his surprise win over Novak Djokovic by defeating world No 10 David Goffin to reach the last eight of an ATP Masters 1000 event for the first time in his career.
The 23-year-old broke his Belgian opponent’s serve twice in the opening set and once in the second, to seal a 6-3, 6-3 victory in 72 minutes.
“I managed my game very well,” Edmund said. “My game is better when I pick the moments not to be aggressive.”
Edmund will next face Canadian teenager Denis Shapovalov, who achieved a 6-4, 6-4 win over compatriot Milos Raonic.
“It was definitely one of my best days on clay,” said 19-year-old Shapovalov, who is ranked 43rd in the world, 19 places below Raonic.
“To be on the court against such a legend for me, and for my country, it was an honor. To beat him was a huge confidence booster for me.”
American John Isner also advanced to the quarterfinals after overcoming Uruguayan Pablo Cuevas in a tight match 7-6(9) 7-6(3) 7-6(4). He will play German Alexander Zverev, who beat Argentine Leonardo Mayer 6-4 6-2.