Rafael Nadal scratches past Felix Auger-Aliassime to earn Novak Djokovic quarter-final
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Loading... - Penelope Reynolds
- 30 May 2022
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Nadal will face arch-rival Novak Djokovic after overcoming the determined Felix Auger-Aliassime across five enthralling sets over four hours and 21 minutes.
It was a match in sharp contrast to Djokovic’s, the world number one taking just two and a quarter hours to dispatch Diego Schwartzman.
And still… @DjokerNole remains undefeated against Diego Schwartzman, downing the 15th seed 6-1, 6-3, 6-3 to reach his 13th straight #RolandGarros quarter-final. pic.twitter.com/A7Nq8JAeLS
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) May 29, 2022
The gilded duo’s receptions were also in stark contract to each other; Nadal’s entrance and every point won were cheered to the rafters on Chatrier while, over on Lenglen, Djokovic was booed as he walked on to court and cupped his ear at a strangely hostile crowd.
Argentinian Schwartzman was clearly being backed by a large South American and Spanish contingent, but the jeering of the defending champion seemed excessive and even prompted Eurosport’s Alex Corretja to say: “I don’t like that. It’s Novak Djokovic. He has given us so much.”
Djokovic’s name was even booed when uttered during Nadal’s on-court interview, but he had already given the perfect response with a 6-1 6-3 6-3 demolition of the 15th seed.
The Serbian has yet to drop a set in the tournament as he bids for a record-equalling 21st grand slam title.
“I’ve made a good start – but I have a lot of work to do,” said Djokovic.
That work will begin with Nadal on Tuesday, although the hotly-anticipated, blockbuster last-eight meeting looked at times on Sunday like being cancelled.
The Spaniard, hunting for title number 14 on the red dirt of Paris, attended the Champions League final on Saturday evening.
It appeared for a while that he may have celebrated Real Madrid’s victory over Liverpool a little too much, as he was broken twice by Auger-Aliassime on his way to losing the first set. Read More…
