Seventh seed Nadal claimed a 6-3, 6-3 win over Mikhail Youzhny of Russia to set up a quarterfinal clash against fourth seed Kei Nishikori.
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2014 US Open runner-up, Kei Nishikori, will be donning a combination of yellow and white UNIQLO outfit for this year’s event at Flushing Meadows which is scheduled to commence from August 31.
The diminutive Nishikori, the No. 4 seed, possessed more firepower from the baseline on Friday night than the 14-time Major champion, dictating the rallies with potent blasts off both the forehand and backhand sides, Efe reported on Saturday.
Nishikori won his third title of the season in Washington last week and is hitting his stride ahead of the U.S. Open. He is slowly but surely getting back to his best, and solid wins like his victory tonight will contribute to the revival of his form.
With the win, the second seed Scot booked his place at The O2 in London, qualifying for the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals for the eighth straight year.
Nishikori made a successful comeback last week after a long-running thigh injury and said that his current fitness is good.
Pospisil lived up to his reputation as a nice guy by adjusting his play to the level of the competition, although he did crank up his big serve on request.
“But that’s good. I can simply take constructive issues from that”.
Goffin, seeded 13th, will be Nishikori’s opponent in the round of 16 on Thursday.
Nadal sparked some hope in the second set when he played a marvellous game and got one break back with a fantastic off backhand winner that drew a loud roar from him as well.
“I won in Hamburg a couple weeks ago”.
Number two seed Murray, who received a first-round bye, avoided the fate of so many other seeds, though he was extended by Spain’s Tommy Robredo before coming through for a 6-4 7-5 win. “Six consecutive [match] victories, that didn’t happen very often during the season”.
A pair of qualifiers got the to third round as Donald Young knocked off fifth seeded Tomas Berdych 7-6 (5), 6-3 and Ernests Gulbis beat Lukas Rosol 6-2, 5-7, 6-3.
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“That’s a positive moment for me”.
