US Open 2019: Nadal remains on track, Zverev falls short again

Rafael Nadal moved into the US Open quarter-finals as Alexander Zverev again fell short on Monday.

Nadal dropped his first set of the tournament before proving too good for 2014 champion Marin Cilic in New York.

The Spanish great will be hard to stop in the bottom half of the draw, with Zverev again unable to make the most of a chance at a major.

NADAL GETS THE JOB DONE

Nadal faced his toughest test yet before overcoming Cilic 6-3 3-6 6-1 6-2 after two hours, 48 minutes.

The 18-time grand slam champion is well-placed to reach his fifth decider at Flushing Meadows after running away from Cilic.

Nadal hit 37 winners and 26 unforced errors, breaking Cilic six times in another impressive display.

This is what they paid for! This is what they want!

: @usopen | @RafaelNadal | #USOpen pic.twitter.com/3n8YYby0ws

— ATP Tour (@ATP_Tour) September 3, 2019

ZVEREV FALLS BEFORE QUARTERS AGAIN

Zverev’s wait for a true breakthrough at a grand slam goes on after a 3-6 6-2 6-4 6-3 loss to Diego Schwartzman, who will face Nadal.

The German has made just two major quarter-finals – at the French Open in 2018 and 2019 – and suffered his second fourth-round loss at a major this year.

Zverev played five-setters in the opening two rounds and was pushed to four in the third.

Diego’s Day 

@dieschwartzman eliminates sixth seed Alexander Zverev 3-6, 6-2, 6-4, 6-3 to reach his second @usopen quarter-final in three years. #USOpen

: @usopenpic.twitter.com/vlor8LtJEQ

— ATP Tour (@ATP_Tour) September 2, 2019

“I had some things that were bothering me because of the fall I had two days ago,” he told a news conference after his loss. “I couldn’t practice freely yesterday. Warm-up was tough today. My right hip and my back is very swollen because of the fall.

“But other than that, fatigue… obviously it was very tough matches, but I feel fine.”

MONFILS, BERRETTINI SET UP SURPRISE QUARTER-FINAL

Gael Monfils needed just 86 minutes to thrash Pablo Andujar 6-1 6-2 6-2 and reach his fourth US Open quarter-final.

The 2016 semi-finalist is 2-6 in last-eight clashes at majors, but has a huge opportunity against 23-year-old Italian Matteo Berrettini.

“I play great tennis here, very great tennis. I always say that I love the atmosphere. I love the energy. The energy is very important,” Monfils said.

“Every stadium I go, definitely those stadium here in New York are one of the best for my game and for my personality.

Gael gonna Gael. @Gael_Monfils | #USOpen

: @usopenpic.twitter.com/OQGosOreC3

— ATP Tour (@ATP_Tour) September 2, 2019

“I feel very comfortable, so I think that’s why I play always great tennis here.”

Berrettini moved into his first grand slam quarter-final thanks to a surprise 6-1 6-4 7-6 (8-6) victory over Andrey Rublev.