Locked in a tight test at the US Open, Rafael Nadal conjured up an over-the-shoulder, back-to-the-net flick of a volley winner that he celebrated with his trademark leap and punch of the air.
If that wasn’t the shot of the match then it may have been a cross-court backhand passing winner off an overhead by his opponent, 2014 champion Marin Cilic.
It was good enough to earn a yell and four fist pumps from Nadal – along with an uppercut from Tiger Woods in the Arthur Ashe Stadium stands.
Then again both were later surpassed by the sprinting, sliding, bend-it-around-the-net-post forehand winner to get to match point, which Woods loved too.
The 33-year-old Nadal is looking healthy and hungry, and he quickly broke things open against Cilic by seizing nine consecutive games for a 6-3 3-6 6-1 6-2 round of 16 victory on Monday night.
Asked to explain his stunning forehand, second-seeded Nadal chuckled and said: “It’s easy to describe and difficult to make.
“I hit it well but to hit that spot, of course you need some luck.”
Asked if he had and his friend Woods had given each other any advice on the nature of winning and staying competitive over the years, Nadal replied: “Tiger doesn’t need any advice – especially from me.
“I always said I never had big idols but if I have to say one idol then it’s him.
“It’s a big pleasure having him here supporting.”
Nadal did, however, offer his friend some golf advice.
“It is much better if Tiger doesn’t see my swing. Maybe he will lose his rhythm after that,” the Spaniard said.
The 18-times grand slam champion reached his ninth quarter-final in New York and 40th at a major, with Argentine 20th seed Diego Schwartzman his next opponent.
Against Cilic, who entered his battle with Nadal at 5-0 in fourth-round matches at Flushing Meadows, everything turned shortly after Nadal ceded a set for the first time in the tournament.
“After the second set I had to make a change or I would be in his hands,” Nadal said.
“I started to return the second serve inside the court and that gave me a different perspective in points.”
At 2-1 in the third set, with Cilic serving, Nadal came up with that no-look volley to begin things.
After Cilic missed a shot, Nadal’s big backhand made it 0-40.
ne double-fault later, that game was over – as, essentially, was the match.