US Open: Rafael Nadal Advances To Quarter-final In Masterclass Showdown Against Marin Cilic

Rafael Nadal showed the masterclass of a player he is made of against Marin Cilic whom he thrashed in a fourth-round match that had high-profile celebrities like tennis champion Tiger Woods and TV drama star actor Jim Parsons (Sheldon Cooper) in attendance at Arthur Ashe Stadium.  

Marin made an effort to curb the aggressive world no. 2 but could only do that in the second set which he won after losing the opener. He was outclassed in four sets against the Spaniard who breezed through remaining two sets to win by 6-3, 3-6, 6-1, 6-2. 

"So special to see this amazing crowd supporting [me]. As I said before the tournament started, I've always had a great connection with the crowd here in New York," said Nadal who won 83 per cent of his first-serve point en route the victory to improve 7-in-9 against the Croatian in ATP FedEx meetings.  

Marin used the combination of his backhand and forehand to force an early break for 3-1 in the second set and wrapped up it with Nadal hitting a forehand return of his serve. During the match that lasted two hours and 48 minutes, he saved 5-in-11 break points faced against the Spaniard.   

Three-time champion set up a quarter-final match against Diego Schwartzman with whom he has an unbeaten record of seven consecutive match wins.