Nadal: “Time to grow”

Delighted to have raised the bar in the third round of the US Open, Rafa Nadal, who already has a round of 16 bruise in his pocket, assured the media on Saturday that he now needs to improve on track if you want to aim for the top in the last Grand Slam of the year.

“All these achievements help a little to have more security. It’s time to grow up, to take a step forward“, he explained.

“In the second week (of the tournament) against a good player like Frances Tiafoe (her opponent in the round of 16), I have to be ready to play and raise my level. I hope I can do that. I knew now was the right time to upgrade if I wanted to keep my chances of continuing in the tournament. Today is an improvement and I need another important improvement for the next match“, he added.

After winning a set against both in the first and second rounds, Nadal gave himself a quiet victory on Saturday against Frenchman Richard Gasquet, whom he crushed 6-0, 6-1 and 7-5 in for two hours and 17 minutes.

Both 36 years old, Gasquet has a real curse against Nadal, beating him in each of the 18 games they have played and winning 34 consecutive sets.

“This was my best match of the tournament. It’s easy to say because it was hard the other dayNadal commented on his difficult second-round matchup against Fabio Fognini.

In the round of 16 they will face the American Frances Tiafoewho beat Argentine Diego Schwartzman in the third round 7-6(7), 6-4, 6-4 in 3 hours and two minutes.

“I think he plays well. It has improved. It’s more solid than ever. He has more games and years on the circuit. Has experience. He has competed on the biggest stages and in the advanced rounds,” he said of Tiafoe, who is ranked 26th in the ATP.

“He plays with a lot of passion, a lot of energy. It is very fast. can play very aggressively. I mean, he’s a player that I can’t beat if I don’t play well so I have to play well.”