Rafael Nadal and Dominic Thiem advanced into the third round of the ATP Montreal Masters on Wednesday (Aug 7), with Thiem achieving a personal best in Canada. Top-seeded holder Nadal suffered through a two-hour rain interruption before dismissing Britain’s Daniel Evans 7-6 (8/6), 6-4. Austrian second seed Thiem, who claimed a clay title at the weekend at home in Kitzbuehel before crossing the Atlantic, won his first match in Canada after five losses, defeating home hero Denis Shapovalov 6-4, 3-6, 6-3.
British number two Dan Evans pushed Spanish great Rafael Nadal in their first meeting before going down in straight sets at the Rogers Cup. Evans, 29, lost 7-6 (8-6) 6-4 in a second-round match disrupted by rain in Montreal.
Qualifier Evans could not convert two set points before losing the tight opener, Nadal upping his game at the start of the second to take control.
Top seed and champion Nadal faces Guido Pella in the last 16.
British number one Kyle Edmund is also out after a 59-minute, 6-3 6-0 defeat by Russian eighth seed Daniil Medvedev.
The heavy loss for Edmund came just a day after he impressed in beating Australian Nick Kyrgios in straight sets.
Elsewhere, Austria's Dominic Thiem beat Canada's Denis Shapovalov 6-4 3-6 6-3 and will face Croatia's Marin Cilic after the 14th seed defeated Australia's John Millman 6-3 6-4.
Frenchman Richard Gasquet upset Japanese fifth seed Kei Nishikori 6-7 (6-8) 6-2 7-6 (7-4) while Wimbledon semi-finalist Roberto Bautista Agut of Spain beat Argentina's Diego Schwartzman 6-2 7-5.
