Indian Wells (AFP)

Rafael Nadal of Spain has continued his perfect career since the beginning of this year, defeating American relay Opelka 7-6, 7-6 in the quarterfinals of the Indian Wells International Masters 1000.
The 35-year-old, who won the Australian Open with a new record for the number of Grand Slam tournaments “21”, has increased his winning streak to 18 since the start of 2022 and maintained his hopes for a fourth title. California.
Nadal opposed the American “giant” 2.11 meters, in addition to his missile transmissions, some of which reached 140 km / h.
Opelka saved only one break point in the first set, while Nadal led 4-3 until the tiebreak, with the American making three consecutive mistakes and losing the set.
In the second set, Nadal threw the chance to break his serve in his fifth game, but Nadal saved three balls without being able to use a break point in the next game. In the seventh game he broke his serve, before which he responded by breaking the opponent’s service. The score is 4-4.
Nadal advanced in the tiebreak, and after Opelka saved two points against him, the Spaniard won the game and won the set.
61-year-old Serbian Miomir Kitsmanovic defeated Italy’s sixth seed Matteo Beretini 6-3, 6-7, 6-4 to advance to the quarterfinals and advance to face Taylor Fritz of the United States. He defeated Australian Alex de Minar 3-6, 6-4, 7-6.
Seventh Russian Andrei Rublev defeated Poland’s Hobart Harkoks 7-6, 6-4 in a set, paired with Bulgaria’s Gregor Dimitrov, who defeated American John Isner 6-3 7-6.
Rublev won his 12th consecutive match, advancing for the first time in his career to the quarter-finals of the Indian Wells tournament.
In the women’s event, 2015 champion Simona Halep advanced to the semifinals after beating Croatian Petra Martic 6-1, 6-1.
The former world number one, now 26, raised his attacking level to deliver his best match in California, he overcame within 55 minutes against an opponent who never showed himself to be flexible and tired.
Halep, who has won the Roland Karros (2018) and Wimbledon (2019) titles, met fourth-seeded Iga Svyantech of Poland in the semifinals, defeating American Madison Keys (29), 52-1, 6-1, 6-0 in the semifinals. Minutes.