French Open 2022: Rafael Nadal joins Novak Djokovic in fourth round with win over Botic van de Zandschulp

Source: Twitter

Rafael Nadal moved into the fourth round at Roland Garros by beating Botic van de Zandschulp 6-3, 6-2, 6-4. The 13-time champion said it was the best of his three wins this week, at least up until Van de Zandschulp crept back into the third set. Nadal in his on-court interview said he was disappointed to miss a break point that would have put him up 5-0.

Nadal's 301st win at Grand Slams means he will face ninth-seeded Felix Auger-Aliassime for a spot in the quarterfinals. The Canadian advanced by beating Filip Krajinovic 7-6 (3), 7-6 (2), 7-5. A French Open player has been fined $10,000 by the tournament after she threw her racket and it bounced off the clay and into the stands during a match.

Irina-Camelia Begu, a 31-year-old Romanian who is ranked 63rd, was cited for unsportsmanlike conduct during the third set of her victory against 30th-seeded Ekaterina Alexandrova in the second round at Court 13. The match was Thursday. The fine was announced Friday.

After dropping a point, Begu walked to the sideline and chucked her racket, which flew behind chair umpire Anis Ressaissi's seat, landing among spectators sitting courtside. There were gasps from fans and a child could be heard crying. Tournament referee Remy Azemar said the equipment, "brushed a young spectator, who turned out to be OK."

PHENOMENADAL

Congratulations on this major milestone, @RafaelNadal pic.twitter.com/Q5yZVs4qOK

— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) May 25, 2022

Defending champion Novak Djokovic recorded another straight-set victory and will face Diego Schwartzman for a spot in the quarterfinals at the French Open. The top-ranked Djokovic beat Aljaz Bedene of Slovenia 6-3, 6-3, 6-2 at Court Philippe Chatrier in 1 hour, 44 minutes" the quickest of his three wins.

Defying physics @RafaelNadal | #RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/L1WrV5aY0l — Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) May 27, 2022

Schwartzman's 0-6 record against Djokovic includes a five-setter in the third round at the 2017 French Open. The Argentine is seeded 15th. The 20-time Grand Slam champion hasn't lost in the third round at Roland Garros since 2009.