Rafael Nadal moved a step closer to a career Grand Slam with victory over Gael Monfils at the US Open.
Spaniard through to the quarter-finals
Rafael Nadal moved a step closer to a career Grand Slam with victory over Gael Monfils at the US Open.
Nadal, who has previously tasted success at Wimbledon, the French Open and the Australian Open, saw off Monfils 6-7 (3-7) 6-3 6-1 6-3 to reach the quarter-finals at Flushing Meadows.
The Spaniard had been struggling with an abdominal muscle injury that required treated during his third-round victory over Nicolas Almagro.
However he showed no reaction to the problem, or the knee tendinitis that sidelined him for two months.
"I had a few problems but I am in the quarter-finals here the third time and I'm very happy," Nadal said.
"I'm just trying to enjoy my comeback. It's a big result for me. It's much better than what I expected."
Nadal will now face 11th seed Fernando Gonzalez in the last eight - and although the world No.3 has won six of their nine meetings, he is taking nothing for granted.
"He's a very good player," Nadal said. "Unbelievable forehands. If I don't play my best it's going to be impossible."
Nadal didn't have things all his own way against Monfils as the 13th seed broke him in just the fourth game and then served for the first set at 5-3.
Slugfest
Nadal broke back, but Monfils kept his cool to secure the set.
That was as good as it got for Monfils as Nadal moved through the gears to dominate the rest of the match - with 63 unforced errors ultimately costing the Frenchman.
Gonzalez set up his showdown with Nadal after coming through a slugfest against Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 3-6 6-3 7-6 6-4.
The 29-year-old Chilean, who is in the last-eight in New York for the first time in seven years, was roared on by a passionate Louis Armstrong crowd - and Gonzalez admitted the support helped him.
"Sometimes you feel like super hero," Gonzalez said. "I understand that the people come to watch, I mean, to have fun.
"For me, the grand slams are what you always dream to play. I like New York. There is a lot of energy in town. A little bit of stress sometimes, but there's a lot of energy. I like that."
