Nadal edges closer to No.1 with brutal blitz
Rafael Nadal is just two wins away from recapturing the World No.1 ranking after a vintage display at the Montreal Masters.
The current World No.2 was far too good for Borna Coric on Thursday, sweeping aside the young Croatian 6-1, 6-2.
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A three-time Montreal champion – his most recent success against Milos Raonic in 2013 – Nadal barely raised a sweat as he set up a last-16 meeting with local favourite and wildcard Denis Shapovalov after one hour, 11 minutes on court.
Nadal was in a dominant mood from the outset as he raced through the opening set against Coric.
The first break point of the match was on Coric's serve in the second game but he dug himself out of 30-40 with a great cross-court forehand, only to forehand into the net, gifting Nadal another chance and the Spaniard did not miss, firing a forehand winner down the line.
Coric did not back down, taking the match to French Open champion Nadal but the veteran was just far too good as he consolidated for a 3-0 lead.
Nadal continued his flawless start, breaking to love, with Coric managing to win only six points through four games.
Coric put himself on the board, forcing Nadal to serve out the set, drawing cheers from the crowd but the latter's power and precision proved too hot to handle.
Nadal carried on where he left off in the second set, breaking again in the opening game.
Coric huffed and puffed – avoiding a second-set bagel, earning his first break point of the match and making his opponent serve it out, but he could not prevent the 31-year-old from easing into the round of 16.
Nadal only needs to make the semi-finals in Montreal to overtake Andy Murray as World No.1.
Murray is not playing in Montreal and has withdrawn from the upcoming Cincinnatti Masters due to an ongoing hip problem.
His absence means either Nadal or Roger Federer are certain to be World No.1 at the US Open at the end of the month.
Earlier on Thursday a rejuvenated Federer enjoyed a comfortable opening victory, giving him his best start to a season since 2006.
The Swiss star, who celebrated his 36th birthday on Wednesday, swatted aside Canada's world number 116 Peter Polansky 6-2, 6-1 in just 53 minutes.
Federer and Nadal are bith riding high after a spectacular year which has netted Federer the Australian Open and Wimbledon crowns, while Nadal won his 10th French Open title.
with Omnisport