Rafael Nadal pays classy tribute to Stan Wawrinka after Rogers Cup win
RAFAEL NADAL has revealed he is happy to see Stanislas Wawrinka reproducing his best tennis at the Rogers Cup.
Rafael Nadal says he played a solid first round at the Roger Cup
Nadal had to withstand an onslaught by Wawrinka before prevailing in straight sets - 7-5, 7-6 - to reach his fourth Masters 1000 quarter-final of the season.
The world No 1, who holds the record for most Masters titles won (32) had to also overcome a rain delay too.
Wawrinka, who is ranked 195 in the world, has been working his way back to full fitness after having major knee surgery last year.
And Nadal has explained he was ‘happy’ to see Wawrinka - a three-time Grand Slam champion - give him a good run for his money.
Happy to see Stan playing that well again
“It was a good match. Of course, a very positive victory for me against a very tough opponent,” Nadal said.
“Happy to see Stan playing that well again.
"So I am very pleased. That's what I needed, a match like this to be a little bit more confident and I did it.”
Rafael Nadal begins preparation for Rogers Cup tournament
Nadal will now face Marin Cilic in the last eight of the Rogers Cup.
The Croatian beat Diego Schwartzman 6-3, 6-2 on Wednesday.
Nadal leads 5-2 in the head-to-head series.