Watch: Rafael Nadal gets adorable surprise in the form of a tiny court invader at the French Open
A child ran onto court to greet Rafael Nadal after the Spaniard won his match against Botic van de Zandschulp in the third round of the French Open on Friday.
The Spaniard produced another fine performance to beat the 26th-seeded Dutchman 6-3, 6-2, 6-4 and book his place in the last 16 of the French Open.
Business as usual 💼
@RafaelNadal defeats Botic Van De Zandschulp 6-3, 6-2, 6-4 to reach the fourth round at #RolandGarros for the 17th time. https://t.co/WL0vnf4LTo
Nadal shook hands with van de Zandschulp and returned to his bench, where he was accosted by a child who ran over to have a chat with the Spaniard. The King of Clay ruffled the child's hair and tried to listen to what the kid said before security intervened.
Rafa keeps on 𝐫𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧' 🙌
13-time champion Rafael Nadal secures a last 16 spot at #RolandGarros
#RG22 | @RafaelNadal https://t.co/LZ4G2ADMoR
Rafael Nadal will face Felix Auger-Aliassime in the 4R of the French Open
After beating van de Zandschulp, Nadal will take on ninth seed Felix Auger-Aliassime in the last 16 of the French Open. The Canadian booked his place in the fourth round of the tournament with a tightly contested straight-sets win over Filip Krajinovic.
Auger-Aliassime had a tough start to the competition, coming back from two sets to love down to defeat Peru's Juan Pablo Varillas in the first round. He then beat Argentine Camilo Ugo Carabelli in straight sets.
The Canadian is currently working with Toni Nadal, who coached his nephew Rafael Nadal to 16 Slam titles before the two parted ways in 2017. This will be the second meeting between the Spaniard and Auger-Aliassime. Nadal defeated the Canadian 6-3, 6-3 when they met in the third round of the Madrid Open in 2019.
If Nadal beats Auger-Aliassime, he will face either reigning champion Novak Djokovic or 15th seed Diego Schwartzman in the quarterfinals of the French Open. The Spaniard will also inch closer to reaching 110 match wins in a Grand Slam and if Djokovic wins against Schwartzman, the duo will meet for a 10th time at Roland Garros.