Rafael Nadal has broken John McEnroe's record of 49 straight sets won on the same surface in Thursday's victory over Diego Schwartzman in the third round of the Madrid Open.
The world number one overcame his Argentine opponent 6-3 6-4 on clay to take his winning streak to 50 sets in a row, eclipsing the mark that McEnroe established on carpet in 1984.
Nadal, who is looking for a sixth career Madrid Open title, broke Schwartzman in the sixth game of each set and appeared to be on course for a routine win.
The world number 16 briefly threatened a comeback by breaking back for 4-4 in the second set, but the Spaniard responded immediately and closed out for a record-setting victory.
Nadal will next face Dominic Thiem in a rematch of last year's final.
Written by
Giuseppe Labellarte
Giuseppe Labellarte
