Nadal passes Federer, Zverev edges through in Montreal
Rafael Nadal, Alexander Zverev and Dominic Thiem moved into the last eight at the Rogers Cup.
Rafael Nadal set a record on his way to the Rogers Cup quarter-finals, while Alexander Zverev battled through on Thursday.
Nadal, the defending champion, surpassed Roger Federer for most ATP Masters 1000 wins after brushing past Guido Pella in Montreal.
Zverev, the winner in 2017, was pushed to a final-set tie-break before edging past Nikoloz Basilashvili.
All eight quarter-finalists are seeds, who dominated to move into the last eight.
NADAL SURPASSES FEDERER WITH PELLA POUNDING
Top seed Nadal made it four wins from as many meetings with Pella thanks to a 6-3 6-4 victory.
The win was his 379th at ATP Masters 1000 level, moving past Federer’s tally of 378.
@RafaelNadal passes Federer for the top spot on the all-time leaderboard.#CoupeRogers pic.twitter.com/z8Aj7TC1ua
— ATP Tour (@ATP_Tour) August 9, 2019
Nadal will next face Fabio Fognini after the seventh seed got past Adrian Mannarino 6-2 7-5.
The Spanish great has been troubled by Fognini in the past, losing to the Italian in Monte Carlo earlier this year.
Fabulous from Fabio!
: @TennisTV | @fabiofogna | #CoupeRogers pic.twitter.com/JCo5LOyN6m
— ATP Tour (@ATP_Tour) August 8, 2019
ZVEREV SURVIVES MAJOR TEST
Zverev, the third seed, was pushed by Basilashvili, fighting his way to a 7-5 5-7 7-6 (7-5) victory.
The German served 15 aces and 14 double faults but also created 18 break points, converting five.
Basilashvili edged Zverev in a final-set tie-break in Hamburg last month.
Zverev faces another test in the last eight, with Karen Khachanov awaiting after the Russian sixth seed overcame Felix Auger-Aliassime 6-7 (7-9) 7-5 6-3.
Last eight for Zverev
Twelve days after falling to the in a final-set tie-break, the third seed beats Basilashvili 7-5, 5-7, 7-6(5). #CoupeRogers pic.twitter.com/ZPO2IvAQaZ
— ATP Tour (@ATP_Tour) August 8, 2019
TREMENDOUS THIEM POWERS THROUGH
Second seed Dominic Thiem booked his spot in the quarter-finals courtesy of a 7-6 (9-7) 6-4 victory over Croatian Marin Cilic.
Thiem will face Daniil Medvedev, the Russian eighth seed having cruised past Cristian Garin 6-3 6-3.
Gael Monfils and Roberto Bautista Agut will also meet after wins over Hubert Hurkacz and Richard Gasquet respectively.
