Alexei Popyrin

is one of those players who want to set a trend. A lanky giant who hits everything, shoots in any direction and exposes his life with every hit. A dystopian stereotype of tennis to come, where there is no room for ideas or strategy. His staging was spectacular: he won his blank serve and was 0-40. Seven consecutive points, to the surprise of the fans and

Nadal

himself

, who took little time to chloroform the game and begin to interpret his opponent's serves. Fresh from qualifying,

Jannik Sinner's

surprising executioner

in the round of 32, the Australian, this year's champion in Singapore, soon burned his ships. Nadal won by a double 6-3, in one hour and 19 minutes, and is already in the quarterfinals.

The hand of the world number two and recent winner of the Count of Godó was not going to shake to bridle the impetus of his adversary, who, however, did to return to the match already with two

breaks

behind in the first set and recovered one of lost aces.

Little more left to become the victim number 40 of the Spanish in as many games with tennis players from the previous phase.

Without rhythm

It was not one of the dates that Nadal likes, who prefers opponents who give him rhythm, something inconceivable in the plans of Popyrin, whose best victory came against

Dominic Thiem

in the second round of the 2019 Australian Open, true to the style with which he tries to break through the circuit.

Unlike Barcelona, ​​where he left two sets in the first rounds, Nadal travels through Madrid in great comfort.

It has been measured with two young players:

Carlos Alcaraz

, who on Wednesday celebrated his eighteenth birthday in front of him, and Alexei Popyrin, 21. On his way to 35, and sharpening the racket to try to conquer his fourteenth Roland Garros and thus exceed 20 Roger Federer's greats, awaits this Friday in the quarterfinals the winner of the duel between

Alexander Zverev

and

Daniel Evans

.

According to the criteria of The Trust Project

Know more

  • Rafael Nadal

TennisAn immense Rublev knocks down Nadal on his favorite stage

TennisDjokovic falls to Evans after a performance plagued by errors

HospitalityPepa Muñoz: "Madrid has been a mirror city in Europe, President Ayuso's plan has worked"

See links of interest

  • 2021 business calendar

  • Home THE WORLD TODAY

  • Chelsea - Real Madrid, live

  • Mutua Madrid Open: Rafa Nadal - Alexei Popyrin