Rafael Nadal moved to within three wins of defending his French Open crown when he subdued a battling and determined Lleyton Hewitt to reach the quarterfinals at Roland Garros on Monday.
The 20-year-old Spanish second seed racked up his 57th consecutive clay court win with his 6-2, 5-7, 6-4, 6-2 triumph and now faces either French 25th seed Gael Monfils or Serbia’s unseeded Novak Djokovic for a place in the last four.
The win also preserved Nadal’s 100% record here and was also his first over the Australian 14th seed in four career meetings.
Ivan Ljubicic joined compatriot Mario Ancic in the quarterfinals as Croatia celebrated having two men in the last eight for the first time.
Fourth seeded Ljubicic overcame unseeded Spaniard Ruben Ramirez Hidalgo 6-3, 3-6, 6-3, 6-2 to set up a clash against France’s Julien Benneteau for a place in the semifinals.
It will be the 27-year-old Ljubicic’s second successive Grand Slam quarterfinal after he made the last eight at the Australian Open in January.
”Until the age of 15, I didn’t play on anything but clay,” said Ljubicic.
”I have always felt comfortable on it. I can’t say I’m surprised to be in the quarterfinals. If I had done it five or six years ago, I would have said it’s incredible. Now I feel I’m in the right place.”
Ancic had booked his place in the quarterfinals, and a match-up against top seed and world number one Roger Federer, on Sunday
Unseeded Benneteau, the world number 95, became the first home player since 2002 to make the quarterfinals when Spain’s Alberto Martin was forced to retire injured from their fourth round clash.
The 24-year-old Benneteau was leading 5-1 in the first set when Martin, who had needed treatment for a back injury, called it quits.
Sebastien Grosjean was the last French player to reach the Roland Garros last eight four years ago.
Benneteau admitted that he was relieved at the outcome as he too was carrying an injury.
”I have a problem with my thigh and I wasn’t looking forward to playing this last 16 match,” said the Frenchman who has never previously got beyond the third round of a Grand Slam.
”Thank God that the match today [Monday] didn’t go on for four or five sets. Now I hope to stay on in the tournament and maybe this is a good luck sign.” — AFP
