Defending champion Rafael Nadal dropped 11 points on serve and did not face a break point to beat World No. 30 Milos Raonic of Canada 7-5, 6-3 in just over 90 minutes on Thursday at the Rakuten Japan Open Tennis Championships. The pair met in Tokyo last year, when Raonic was a No. 200-ranked qualifier. Rafa is on to the Quarterfinals where he faces Colombia's Santiago Giraldo. Their  ATP Head 2 Head is 3-0 for Rafa.


Rafa's Post Match Interview discusses his 2 round win over Milos Raonic

"I think I played well," said Nadal. "His serve was impressive, especially at the beginning of the match. It was an important victory for me and now I am in the quarter-finals. Physically I feel fine and I have the motivation to keep going and keep practising hard. I am focused on having a very good tournament. The fans really show their emotions and provide great support. They make me feel fantastic every time I am here."

Rafa also had this to say:

"It has been a really hard year for all the Japanese people," said defending champion and World No. 2 Nadal. "For people like me, who was here in the past, can make some sense about what happened. The reason why I am here is that I believe Japan is a fantastic country and a safe country. The people are very, very nice and I always send all my support to the people and the country.

"The tennis family is always ready to help causes around the world. I am sure we will come up with some good ideas in future to help Japan. We compete in Asian late in the tennis season, but for all the players who are here supporting the event and the country, it is fantastic to see."

Quotes via ATP