Rafael Nadal eyes US Open success: 'It's the moment to take the next step'

• Tennis News
• Rafael Nadal

Rafael Nadal defeated Nikoloz Basilashvili in four sets, 6-3, 6-3, 6-7, 6-4, to reach the US Open quarter-finals. In his post-match press conference, the Spanish player said: 'It was difficult the other day. Today was an advantage on the score all the time.

The other day was against all the time, you know. Set and break down. But was a difficult match, of course. Yeah, I lost the third set I think (despite) playing a good tiebreak. He played better. The beginning of the third was the only thing, because I had 0-40 and probably was that moment that I needed to push a little bit more and close the match, because with that, yeah, I missed a forehand down the line in that 0-40 (game) but was a bad decision that forehand, no? That was the moment to put all my senses to that point.

Because with two-sets-to-love, 2-0 serving, big chance of 3-0 probably. The match was almost close and then the match became more difficult.' Replying if he had any particular manner of dealing with pressure, Nadal said, 'No, just play well, you know.

At the end of the day it's not about pressure, not about this kind of stuff. I have been in that position a lot of times in my career. Is always about playing well. If I play well, other things I can manage it well. I am in the second week already.

That's a positive thing. Well, I arrived in the quarterfinals in all Grand Slams. I didn't make it since 2011 that, so that is a positive thing. Now is the moment to make the next step, step forward, play more aggressive. I did a lot of things well during the whole season.

Is the moment to make it happen again. I hope to be ready to make that happen.' ALSO READ: Mats Wilander explains why Rafael Nadal didn't play great vs Khachanov