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Rafael Nadal took one other profitable step in Indian Wells—and felt recurring ache in his left foot.
The fourth-seeded Spaniard subdued Reilly Opelka 7-6, 7-6, to lift his 2022 file to 18-0—the third greatest season begin in ATP historical past—and cost into his twelfth BNP Paribas Open quarterfinal.
More: Nadal Edges Opelka to Set Up Kyrgios Showdown
Afterward, Nadal mentioned the tight, two hour, 11-minute triumph, got here with a ache value. The Australian Open champion mentioned ache elevated within the second set.
“I felt my foot just a little bit on the second set. I used to be capable of preserve going, preserve working until the top, no?” Nadal informed the media in Indian Wells. “Sure, being sincere, I’m not within the second to lie or to cover issues.
“I’m simply very completely satisfied to be enjoying tennis. In the present day was just a little bit worst than different days. It is true that the final couple of days the foot have been bothering me just a little bit extra.
“One thing that may occur. We all know that. Simply attempt to be prepared and keep optimistic as a result of going to be my final match on exhausting. After we going to return to clay. That most likely helps just a little bit extra.”
The 21-time Grand Slam champion withdrew from this month’s Miami Open so he will not play once more on exhausting courtroom till the US Open Collection begins in August.
Persevering with his quest for a record-tying thirty seventh Masters 1000 title in Indian Wells, Nadal is hoping his foot holds up when he faces nemesis Nick Kyrgios within the quarterfinals.
“I might want to do the final effort to do it pretty much as good as attainable right here,” Nadal mentioned. “Hopefully the foot can preserve holding. I’m not desirous about the foot a lot.
“I’m simply desirous about my tennis and my subsequent opponent. If one thing occurs, we have to settle for it.”
Photograph credit score: Getty
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