Former World number one tennis player Rafael Nadal has qualified for the last 16 of the Madrid Open after a hard-fought victory over Argentina’s Pedro Cachin.
The Spaniard, 37, came through 6-1 6-7 (5-7) 6-3 after three hours and six minutes on court.
Five-time champion Nadal is playing on the Madrid clay for the final time, in what he expects to be the last season of his career.
Nadal will play 30th seed Jiri Lehecka of the Czech Republic on Tuesday for a place in the quarter-finals.
Elsewhere Great Britain’s Cameron Norrie was eliminated after losing to fifth seed Casper Ruud in straight sets.
The Norwegian, who won in Barcelona last week, triumphed 6-2 6-4 and will face Canada’s Felix Auger-Aliassime in the next round.
Italian top seed Jannik Sinner remains on course for his fourth title of 2024 after he saw off Russia’s Pavel Kotov 6-2 7-5.
Third seed Daniil Medvedev also progressed after coming from a set down to beat America’s Sebastian Korda 5-7 7-6 (7-4) 6-3.
Injury Troubled Nadal Advances To Last 16 Of Madrid Open
