Mutua Madrid Open, Spain

[1] Rafael Nadal (ESP) vs. [16] Diego Schwartzman (ARG)

Despite never losing a set to his opponent, Nadal knew that this was an opponent he could not take lightly. Schwartzman pushed him before on clay and earlier this year he won his first set against Nadal. Although it was on hard court, he takes confidence from knowing he did.

All the pressure was on Nadal. He was not only trying to win to hold on to number one, he was looking to make more history and continue the defense of his title. He may not think about records, but he’s human and he must have thought about it when he stepped up to start the match; in fact it may have crossed his mind a few times when the record looked to be in jeopardy.

It was not a clean start for the king of clay, nerves were evident early and throughout the match; yet, he found a way as only Nadal can. Schwartzman was in this match, just like he was the last time they played on clay and just like before, his lack of belief  hurt him. Nadal won 6-3, 6-4 and now owns the record for most consecutive sets won (50);he displaced John McEnroe, who previously held the record for consecutive sets won (49 on carpet).

OTHER RESULTS FROM TODAY

In the all Canadian affair, young Denis Shapovalov upended his compatriot, Milos Raonic, 6-4, 6-4.

John Isner has played five consecutive tiebreak sets to get to the quarterfinals. Today he had to come from behind to defeat, clay-court expert, Pablo Cuevas. He won 6-7(9), 7-6(3), 7-6(4).

Kyle Edmund is enjoying being in the spotlight as the number one Brit and today he had a quality win when he defeated David Goffin 6-3, 6-3.

The surprise of the day was Juan Martin Del Potro losing to Dusan Lajovic 6-3, 4-6, 6-7(6). This was the first top ten victory for the Serb.

Nadal’s next opponent, Dominic Thiem, had to go three sets to claim his 2-6, 7-6(5), 6-4 victory over Borna Coric.

Our spotlight player, Alexander Zverev, played some of his best tennis to dispatch of the always dangerous Leonardo Mayer 6-4, 6-2. He sets up a rematch with Isner.

SOURCE OF IMAGES: serveandrally (Rafael Nadal)