Nadal powers to Miami Open quarter-finals

Rafael Nadal has stepped up his quest for his first career title at the Miami Open as the fifth seed accounted for Nicolas Mahut in their round of 16 encounter.

Nadal committed only 11 unforced errors and secured his 6-4 7-6 (7-4) victory over Mahut in just over 90 minutes, without facing a break point against his French opponent.

Nadal, Spain’s 30-year-old king of clay has played four finals but continually come up just short in key Biscayne – the last time in 2014 against Novak Djokovic.

Nadal set up a last-eight meeting with Jack Sock after the US 13th seed beat compatriot Jared Donaldson 6-2 6-1. The qualifier benefited in the previous round as an injured Milos Raonic withdrew.

Japanese second seed Kei Nishikori advanced to the last eight as he won a battle with Argentine Federico Delbonis 6-3 4-6 6-3 to next play Italy’s Fabio Fognini, who accounted for Donald Young 6-0 6-4.

Nishikori said he had been struggling with fitness during the event.

“It’s always tough. Sometimes you have to fight with yourself, with your physical condition, and also you have opponents opposite side of the net,” the Japanese star said.

Czech 10th seed Tomas Berdych beat Adrian Mannarino of France 6-3, 7-5 and awaits the winner of the Roger Federer and Roberto Bautista Agut match.

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