Spain’s tennis superstar Rafael Nadal continued his quest for a third Grand Slam title of 2022 with victory over Richard Gasquet to reach the fourth round of the US Open.
Nadal, a four-time winner in New York, prevailed 6-0 6-1 7-5 in his 18th win over the Frenchman.
The 36 year old won the Australian and French Opens earlier this year before injury saw him withdraw before his Wimbledon semi-final.
He will next face American Frances Tiafoe for a place in the quarter-finals.
Earlier on Saturday, Nadal’s compatriot and world number four Carlos Alcaraz marched into the last 16 with an impressive straight-set victory over American hope Jenson Brooksby.
Alcaraz, who reached the quarter-finals on his Flushing Meadows debut in 2021, won 6-3 6-3 6-3 on Arthur Ashe Stadium.
He will face Croatia’s Marin Cilic who beat Britain’s Dan Evans in the last 16 after his ruthless disposal of home favourite Brooksby.
Meanwhile, Italian 26th seed Lorenzo Musetti was knocked out by Belarusian Ilya Ivashka, who won 6-4 3-6 6-2 6-3.
Ivashka faces Italian 11th seed Jannik Sinner.Sinner lost the opening set in his match against American Brandon Nakashima but fought back for a 3-6 6-4 6-1 6-2 victory.
RN