Rafael Nadal plays a backhand against Botic van de Zandschulp at Wimbledon on July 4, 2022 in London, England. Photo: VCG
Rafael Nadal swept into the Wimbledon quarterfinals on Monday, staying on course for a crunch meeting with Nick Kyrgios, who was on his best behavior in a battling five-set win.
In the women's competition, 2019 champion Simona Halep demolished Spanish fourth seed Paula Badosa in just 60 minutes to set up a meeting with Amanda Anisimova.
Nadal, chasing a rare calendar Grand Slam, started his campaign at the All England Club slowly but is now in the groove as he hunts a third Wimbledon crown.
He showed no mercy to Dutch 21st seed Botic van de Zandschulp in their evening clash on Center Court, overcoming a late wobble to seal a 6-4, 6-2, 7-6 (8/6) win.
"I think I continued in a positive way until the end where I played a bad game," said the Spanish second seed.
"In a personal way, for me to be able to be in quarterfinals after three years [away from Wimbledon] it's amazing for me so very, very happy."
Nadal broke his opponent five times in the match, capitalizing on his fourth match point to reach the Wimbledon quarters for the eighth time.
If the 22-time Grand Slam champion beats 11th seed Taylor Fritz and Kyrgios gets past Chile's Cristian Garin, they will meet in a mouthwatering semifinal on Friday.
Kyrgios earlier shrugged off a shoulder injury to beat US player Brandon Nakashima 4-6, 6-4, 7-6 (7/2), 3-6, 6-2.
The maverick Australian was a changed man just two days after his stormy third-round victory against Greek fourth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas.
Kyrgios looked to be in trouble when Nakashima broke for 4-3 in the fourth and took the set courtesy of a lazy Kyrgios service game.
But he rallied in the decider, passing the 100-ace mark for the tournament and breaking twice to secure the win.
Kyrgios, who needed regular physio treatment, hammered 79 winners, including 35 aces.
'In the moment'
The last time the 40th-ranked player reached the last eight at a major was at the Australian Open in 2015, a year after he reached the same stage on his debut at the All England Club.
But he is seen as a major threat to Nadal, whom he beat on his way to the quarterfinals in 2014.
The Australian, 27, said he was trying to stay "in the moment."
"I'm not thinking about lifting a trophy or making semifinals or making the final," he said.
"I'm just thinking about my habits every day, just trying to put in a good performance on the court, then put in a good practice session, try to stay positive, try to really separate.
"You know, once I'm off the court, enjoy time with my team, my girlfriend, and just really enjoy that, then get into the game mode."
Kyrgios said a "lot of people will be upset" after he reached the quarterfinals.
The Australian's fiery third-round win over Tsitsipas led to his opponent branding him a bully with an evil side as again Kyrgios' antics polarized opinion.
Forty-eight hours later, however, Kyrgios was a model of maturity, barely uttering a word in anger as he shrugged off a stiff shoulder and not having his A-game to reach his third Grand Slam quarterfinal.
He was serene as he spoke to media afterward too, describing his satisfaction at overcoming the tenacious 20-year-old American without playing his best tennis.
Asked how he had shrugged off fierce criticism aimed his way by people such as former champion and fellow Australian Pat Cash in the wake of his toxic victory over Greek Tsitsipas, Kyrgios said he just laughed it off.
"It's so funny. I joke around with my team about it so much. It's hilarious," Kyrgios told reporters.
"I almost just wake up and read things, and I just laugh. And I never forget things, whether it was three, four years ago, things that just stick with me. I have a massive chip on my shoulder. Like I sit here now in quarterfinals Wimbledon again, and I just know there's so many people that are so upset."
The unseeded Garin pulled off an astonishing comeback against Australia's Alex de Minaur, whom he had not beaten before.
The Chilean recovered from two sets down and saved two match points in the fifth set to beat the 19th seed in a grueling contest lasting four hours and 34 minutes.
American Fritz, who beat Nadal in the Indian Wells final earlier this year, cruised past Australian qualifier Jason Kubler for the loss of just eight games.
Halep cruises
Former world No.1 Halep is looking increasingly dangerous as she makes stately progress toward a second Wimbledon crown in a draw now short of big names.
The Romanian's match against Badosa appeared tricky on paper but proved anything but, with the 16th seed coming through 6-1, 6-2.
Halep, yet to drop a set at Wimbledon this year, will face Anisimova of the United States for a place in the semifinals.
Anisomova, seeded 20th, ended the dream run of French player Harmony Tan, who shocked Serena Williams in her opening match, winning 6-2, 6-3.
Kazakhstan's Elena Rybakina beat Petra Martic of Croatia in straight sets and will face Ajla Tomljanovic after the Australian ended the run of French veteran Alize Cornet.
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