Italian Open: Rafael Nadal Breezes Through To Quarter-finals After Two Match Wins In Single Day

Rafael Nadal is yet to snap is clay-court title drought this season but he is off to an impressive start at the Internazionali BNL d'italia entering the quarter-finals with straight sets 6-1 6-0 win over Nikoloz Basilashvili on Thursday. 

In the same day, the world no. 2 had to play against Jeremy Chardy earlier before taking on the Greek and in both matches only conceded two games and winning 11 straight games against Chardy to emerge winner by 6-0, 6-1.

Nadal is the defending champion at this level and dominates the tournament with eight titles. Nonetheless, he has not clinched a title this season neither on clay. 

"Playing two matches is a very dangerous day. I was able to manage it well," Nadal explained afterwards during a postmatch interview. 

In the quarter-finals, he will take on 19-time rival in ATP Fedex series Fernando Verdasco who defeated Karen Khachanov in three sets 7-5, 3-6, 6-3.