ROME: Defending champion Rafael Nadal endured a three-set thriller before overcoming big-hitting Latvian qualifier Ernests Gulbis 1-6, 7-5, 6-4 yesterday to reach the Rome Masters quarter-finals.
Gulbis, ranked 46th, and a winner in Rome in 2010 over Roger Federer on his way to the semi-finals, saved two match points in the third set, but finally went down when he sent a forehand wide to the massive relief of a dancing, celebrating Nadal.
The Spaniard now stands 6-0 against Gulbis as he bids for a seventh Rome title.
He will next face compatriot David Ferrer, who advanced in a walkover against Germany’s Philipp Kohlschreiber, who was suffering from vertigo.
“On Friday, I have a chance against against a very difficult player. I survived a tough match today. Now I have another chance to try and go farther,” said Nadal.
“Being in the quarter-finals is fantastic. I’m more than pleased with what I’ve done since I returned (from his seven months off with knee problems).”
Nadal was fresh from his Madrid title at the weekend - his record 23rd Masters.
He has won five titles from seven finals since returning to tennis after a seven-month injury absence.
Top seed Novak Djokovic played without ankle pain in a routine 6-1, 6-4 defeat of Alexandr Dolgopolov for a quarter-final place and then spared a thought for the injury plight of rival Andy Murray.
Djokovic dispatched Dolgopolov in an hour, with five aces and 13 winners in a contest which began 45 minutes late due to morning rain. The two-time Rome champion will next play Czech Tomas Berdych, a winner over South Africa’s Kevin Anderson 7-5, 6-2.
Djokovic said that he had almost forgotten about his ankle injury since winning the title in Monte Carlo over Nadal last month.
“I’ve been pain-free for a week but I’m still very cautious in my warm-up and recovery. I don’t think it will bother me any more and I don’t think about it when I’m on the court,” he said.
That was not the case for Murray, though.
The Scot is on the verge of withdrawing from the French Open, which starts a week on Sunday, after quitting his opening match in Rome against Marcel Granollers with the chronic back pain which has bothered him for almost 18 months. Djokovic, who was particularly injury-prone in his early years, is now an iron man who stands atop the world rankings.
His most recent niggle, the ankle problem from early April, is now a thing of the past, according to the 25-year-old Serb. AFP
