Rafael Nadal took another winning step in Indian Wells—and felt recurring pain in his left foot.
The fourth-seeded Spaniard subdued Reilly Opelka 7-6, 7-6, to raise his 2022 record to 18-0—the third best season start in ATP history—and charge into his 12th BNP Paribas Open quarterfinal.
More: Nadal Edges Opelka to Set Up Kyrgios Showdown
Afterward, Nadal said the tight, two hour, 11-minute triumph, came with a pain price. The Australian Open champion said pain increased in the second set.
"I felt my foot a little bit on the second set. I was able to keep going, keep running till the end, no?" Nadal told the media in Indian Wells. "Yes, being honest, I am not in the moment to lie or to hide things.
"I am just very happy to be playing tennis. Today was a little bit worst than other days. It's true that the last couple of days the foot have been bothering me a little bit more.
"Something that can happen. We know that. Just try to be ready and stay positive because going to be my last tournament on hard. After we going to go back to clay. That probably helps a little bit more."
The 21-time Grand Slam champion withdrew from this month's Miami Open so he won't play again on hard court until the US Open Series starts in August.
Continuing his quest for a record-tying 37th Masters 1000 title in Indian Wells, Nadal is hoping his foot holds up when he faces nemesis Nick Kyrgios in the quarterfinals.
"I will need to do the last effort to do it as good as possible here," Nadal said. "Hopefully the foot can keep holding. I am not thinking about the foot much.
"I am just thinking about my tennis and my next opponent. If something happens, we need to accept it."
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