Rafael Nadal Beats Big-Serving Reilly Opelka, To Meet Nick Kyrgios in Quarter-Finals at Indian Wells

With his back against the wall, the Spaniard blunted 6 feet 11 inch Opelka’s big-hitting game with heavy topspin as he demonstrated an abundance of agility and patience, overcoming the American 7-6(3), 7-6(5) to book his place in the quarter-finals of the ATP Masters event. Also Read - Stefanos Tsitsipas, Rafael Nadal, Daniil Medvedev Advance With Hard-Fought Wins at Indian Wells

Nadal, who is enjoying a career-best start to a year, stood deep behind the baseline on Opelka’s serve, which enabled him to put returns back into court with ferocious depth and power, according to a report on the ATP Tour website. Also Read - Andy Murray Fights Back For Landmark 700th Career Win at Indian Wells

The 35-year-old soaked up Opelka’s brand of big-serve tennis and rallied from a break down in the second set to eventually advance after two hours and 11 minutes.