Rafael Nadal did it tough against Reilly Opelka on Wednesday, eventually winning his way through to the quarter-finals at the Indian Wells Masters.
Nadal displayed an abundance of tactical nous, nullifying the American's big hitting and service game to emerge the 7-6 (6-3), 7-6 (7-5) winner.
Along with a 76 per cent first-serve rate, Opelka hit more winners with 26 for the match, but the 35-year-old Spaniard was able to grind out points from the baseline with his trademark heavy topspin.
As a result, Nadal's winner/unforced error differential was +14 in comparison to Opelka's +1.
"He is one of the toughest opponents on tour," Nadal said post-match. "It is very tough to control his weapons with his serve and forehand.
"I think I played my best match of the tournament so far today. I am very pleased with how I was able to win the match, with two difficult tie-breaks. This victory means a lot to me."
The highest ranked player left in the draw, Nadal will now face Nick Kyrgios, who progressed to the quarter-finals after Jannik Sinner withdrew with illness.
A shock exit
Matteo Berrettini made a shock exit, meanwhile, losing 6-3, 6-7 (5-7), 6-4 to unseeded Serbian Miomir Kecmanovic.
The Italian world number six was put under constant pressure, with Kecmanovic targeting his backhand and hovered the baseline to close the angles on serve.
The 22-year-old's only other top 10 victory came against Alexander Zverev, also the world number six then, at Cincinnati in 2019. He will now face Taylor Fritz, who defeated Alex de Minaur 3-6, 6-4, 7-6 (7-5).
Also on Wednesday, Grigor Dimitrov edged past John Isner 6-3, 7-6 (8-6). In his unique style, the Bulgarian 33rd seed came up with the shot of the day, flicking a forehand pass across the visibly stunned Isner.
He will face Andrey Rublev, who defeated Hurbert Hurkacz 7-6 (7-5), 6-4. In Wednesday's other results, Carlos Alcaraz comfortably defeated Gael Monfils 7-5, 6-1, while Cameron Norrie accounted for Jenson Brooksby 6-2, 6-4.
