Indian Wells: Rafael Nadal smashes Reilly Opelka, Miomir Kecmanovic shocks Matteo Berrettini

Rafael Nadal defeated Reilly Opelka at the BNP Paribas Open to extend his perfect start to the ATP Tour season to 18-0 while unseeded Serbian Miomir Kecmanovic stunned World No.6 Matteo Berrettini 6-3 6-7(5) 6-4 in the fourth round of Indian Wells on Wednesday.

Nadal survived Opelka’s big-hitting game with heavy topspin and outshone the American 7-6(3), 7-6(5) to book his place in the quarter-finals.

“He is a very difficult player to play against with his huge serve and huge forehand, but I think I played my best match of the tournament so far,” Nadal said in an on-court interview.

Nadal stood as far back off the baseline as the court would allow on his returns and often had to hit them at head height or higher.

“It’s not only about speed. The spin is also difficult to read. Sometimes it’s coming with topspin, sometimes with slice.

“It’s a great victory for me against one of the toughest opponents I can play and I’m very happy. I can’t thank you enough for all the positive energy that I receive every single day here.”

Nadal is now 18-0 to start the season and if he can win his fourth title in the California desert, he will move into a tie with Novak Djokovic for the most Masters 1000 titles with 37.

To do so, the 21-time Grand Slam champion will need to defeat another huge server in Australian Nick Kyrgios, who advanced by walkover after Italian Jannik Sinner withdrew from the tournament due to illness.

Nadal holds a 5-3 lead over Kyrgios in their previous meetings.

Earlier in the day, Kecmanovic absorbed Berrettini’s power serve in the first set, converting on a breakpoint chance in the fourth game, as a frustrated Berrettini won just eight return points.