The 12-time champion Rafael Nadal defeated Sebastian Korda with 6-1, 6-1, 6-2 in 1 hour and 52 minutes battle in straight sets and entered the quarterfinals of French open 2020. After the match, Nadal said, “I’m in the quarter-finals without losing a set and having very positive scores. I can’t complain at all, so I’m happy for that”. Korda said, he always idolizes Nadal in a statement given after his entry to the round Four. Nadal responded as “It is a real honor to have inspired Sebastian. All of my generations tried very hard to be passionate, to play every single day trying our best and if that is a good inspiration for the young generation that is good. I am very happy about that”.
“I really believe that we are looking at a great player [in Sebastian]. He is young. Of course, he had some mistakes in some important moments, but the way that he hit the ball was really impressive,” he added. Korda said, “It was (facing Nadal) definitely the best moment of my life. It was super awesome. After the match, I asked him for a signed shirt when we were tapping rackets. I don’t know if anyone’s ever asked him for an autograph after a match, but that was definitely the coolest moment of my life and one I’ll never forget”. Nadal will face Jannik Sinner next who has defeated world No.7 Alexander Zverev 6-3, 6-3, 4-6, 6-3.
Sinner like Nadal has become the first player since 2005 to have entered the French open quarterfinals in maiden appearance at the tournament. Sinner after the match told, “It has been tough. We have practiced sometimes in Monaco, so we know [each other] quite well. Today was very tough, knowing that it was going to be a long match. At the end, I am very happy about my performance.” Sinner, 19, is the youngest player to have made the last-eight of a Grand Slam tournament in 14 years.Kora defeated Andreas Seppi, John Isner and Pedro Martinez to reach round 16.
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