Rafael Nadal reached the French Open quarterfinals for the 15th time on Monday to stay on course for a 14th title and record-setting 21st Grand Slam with his biggest challenge posed by blinding stadium lights.
Third seed Nadal downed 19-year-old Jannik Sinner 7-5, 6-3, 6-0 and goes on to face 10th-seeded Diego Schwartzman of Argentina who he defeated in the semifinals last year.
Nadal has now won 104 matches at Roland Garros against just two defeats since his 2005 debut while Monday’s victory extended his run of consecutive sets won to 35.
Despite Monday’s match being played in bright sunshine and in temperatues of 25 degrees Nadal was baffled as to why the lights inside Cou…
Keep on reading: Blinded by the light as Nadal reaches 15th French Open quarterfinal