(June 2, 2014) World No. 1 Rafael Nadal will face Spanish countryman David Ferrer in the quarterfinals of the French Open. Nadal had an easy 6-1, 6-2, 6-1 win over Dusan Lajovic. The last time Nadal and Ferrer played each other, Ferrer upset Nadal in the quarterfinals of the Monte Carlo Masters.
“I think that I am playing a little bit better than when I was playing against him in Monte-Carlo, but I think he’s playing great, too,” said Nadal to press. “He played three weeks in a row at a very high level. In Madrid he played great, in Rome he played great, and he’s playing great here.
“He’s coming to the match with confidence and with confidence that he beat me the last time. It will be a tough one. I know how to play against him and to have chances to win I need to play very well. That’s what I’m going to try. If not, it will be impossible.”
Ferrer said, “Rafael (Nadal) is always the favorite.”
“Tactically, I will have to be perfect,” Ferrer said to have a chance. “I hope that I will instill some doubts in Rafa’s mind, but if we play at our best level, both of us, he will be a better player.”
Nadal’s win on Monday gave him his 696th victory of his career and it also gave Nadal his 32nd straight match at Roland Garros, breaking his own record.
The other quarterfinals will feature No. 7 Andy Murray against Gael Monfils. Ernests Gulbis versus Tomas Berdych and Novak Djokovic faces Milos Raonic.
