Rafael Nadal is three wins away from claiming his 13th Grand Slam title of his career. However, the Mallorcan netter is also aware the road that lies ahead will be tougher than ever. It's the quarterfinal round of the US Open Championships and there's nothing any better than this.
Nadal has been an overwhelming force through the first four rounds of the tournament. After crushing his first three opponents (Ryan Harrison, Rogério Dutra da Silva and Ivan Dodig) in straight sets, the 27-year-old Spaniard faced a stiff challenge from veteran netter Philipp Kohlschreiber of Germany in the fourth round.
Nadal dropped the opening set against Kohlschreiber, but the world's no.2 netter responded in a big way in the next three sets to dispatch the German 6-7(4-7), 6-4, 6-3, 6-1 and arrange a testy quarterfinal contest against compatriot Tommy Robredo, who is coming off a big upset win against five-time US Open champion Roger Federer 7-6(7-3), 6-3, 6-4.
Federer entered the match against Robredo with a 10-0 head-to-head record, but unforced errors and misfiring baseline shots caused his 'self-destruction.' Robredo, who reached his first US Open quarterfinals of his career, has never defeated Nadal in six career matches, yet anything is possible at this stage of the competition.
The Nadal-Robredo showdown is scheduled for 8:30 p.m EST at Arthur Ashe Stadium right after the women's singles quarterfinal affair between former world's no.1 Victoria Azarenka and Daniela Hantuchuva (7 p.m. EST).
Meanwhile, David Ferrer will try to book his eight consecutive Grand Slam quarterfinal appearance when he takes on Richard Gasquet of France (1:30 p.m EST). Wednesday's schedule will kick off with an all-Italian quarterfinal duel between Roberta Vinci and Flavia Pennetta at 12:00 p.m EST.
T.V Schedule, Live Streaming & Scores
Coverage of the US Open Championship quarterfinals will begin at around 12 p.m through 7 p.m EST on ESPN 2, which will also cover the primetime telecast from 7 p.m to 11 p.m. EST.
Live streaming is available on US Open Live and ESPN3 while audio streaming on US Open Radio.
Scores & Results are available on US Open 2013.
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