Rafael Nadal comes to Montreal 2019 as the defending Canada Masters champion. The Spaniard reached his 91st Masters 1000 quarter-final after defeating Guido Pella 6-3, 6-4 in one hour and 41 minutes in windy conditions. Rafa achieved a huge record, registering his 379th Masters 1000 victory and leaving Roger Federer with 378.
Nadal remains on course for the title, trying to defend the title outdoors for the first time in a career at the age of 33! The Spaniard had 24 winners and 26 unforced errors. He left Pella with a 7-17 ratio and created the victory in the mid-range rallies after defeating the Argentine content with the fastest up to four strokes.
Guido converted one of three break chances and broke three times out of ten opportunities offered to Nadal. The Argentine gave his best to prolong the war. However, it was not enough to challenge Rafa more seriously.
Rafael Nadal beat Roger Federer’s Masters 1000 record at Montreal 2019.
Both players lost nine points behind the initial shot in the opening set.
Nadal got an early break and controlled the rest of the games to take it 6-3. The Spaniard stopped 15 in the first game of the encounter and took a break a few minutes later after a big forehand error by Pella. The Spaniard cemented the lead after two deuces and a forehand winner in game three.
Serving for the set at 5-3, Nadal fired four winners to wrap it up in style after 45 minutes. She controlled the pace with 12 winners and 11 unforced errors, hoping for more in set number two. After the two held to love at the beginning of the second set, Rafa converted the third break of the match with a smash winner.
He loved another smash winner to take a 3-1 advantage and move closer to the finish line. The sixth game was the longest of the game. Pella came back for the third time after Nadal’s unforced error and tied the score at 3-3.
However, he suffered another break in the next to send Rafa in front again. Guido turned down three match points on serve in game nine to stay within a break deficit and extend the match. Nadal stayed focused and sealed the deal with his serve a few minutes later to push himself into the last eight and secure a huge record..