Rafael Nadal ramped up his quest for a fourth US Open title Monday with an impressive win over 2014 champion Marin Cilic to advance to the quarter-finals while Alexander Zverev slumped to a four-set defeat, reports AFP.
Second seed Nadal the winner at Flushing Meadows in 2010, 2013 and 2017 produced some electrifying moments of brilliance to end the challenge of Croatian 22nd seed Cilic 6-3, 3-6, 6-1, 6-2.
After barely breaking a sweat in reaching the last 16, a run that included a second-round walkover, Nadal stared down his stiffest test so far to surge into a quarter-final meeting with Argentine 20th seed Diego Schwartzman.
The Spaniard exchanged the first two sets with Cilic but grasped control by breaking for 3-1 in the third.
Nadal reeled off nine games in succession across the third and fourth sets and 12 of the final 15 to nail down a 40th Grand Slam quarter-final appearance, nine of which have come at the US Open.
"The emotions I have when I play here are impossible to describe. I love the sport and feel very lucky to still be playing tennis here. Eight years ago I didn't think that would happen as my body was suffering badly," Nadal said.
Nadal's path to the final sees him take on Schwartzman next after the 5ft 7in (1.70m) Argentine chopped down sixth seed Zverev. "He is playing amazing, nothing new, he's one of the players with best talent on tour," Nadal said of his upcoming opponent.
"It will be a big challenge. I have to play my best. I'm happy for him. He's a close friend and I hope to play a great match."
Meanwhile, Zverev rolled through the opening set against Schwartzman under the roof on Ashe during a rainy afternoon session, but he lost his way to go down 3-6, 6-2, 6-4, 6-3.
"Generally my season so far has not been the best," said Zverev, who has reached just two quarter-finals in 18 Grand Slam appearances.
Zverev said he was hindered a "very swollen" back and right hip following a fall in his previous match.
"I had a lot of chances which I didn't use early in the match. He kind of ran away with it."
