The race to end the year atop of the world rankings is heating up with Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer both through to the quarter finals of the Shanghai Masters.
World No.1 Nadal downed Italian Fabio Fognini 6-3 6-1 while second ranked Federer downed Alexandr Dolgopolov 6-4 6-2.
Nadal, who is chasing his fourth end of year No.1 ranking, said he was happy to have taken care of his opponent in just over an hour.
“It’s better like this than having long matches, you save, a little bit more, the body,” Nadal said. “I’ve been doing the things very well, 6-3 6-1 against a player like him for sure is a very good result for me, and being in the quarter- finals of course is great news.”
Federer, who is the only player in the running to stop Nadal’s charge for end-of-season bragging rights, said his body was being kind to him.
“I felt good in the first match,” the 36-year-old said. “Maybe this match-up was maybe a bit easier and I took my chances more. I’m happy I was able to do better today on the break points.
“I served very well today; when that happens, then the rallies are short. It was really a fast-court match.”
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