Rafael Nadal was not the sole focus of Spanish attention for once, but the world number one was more than happy to share the spotlight at the US Open.
Nadal beat France's Gilles Simon 6-4 6-4 6-2 in the third round at Flushing Meadows to ensure at least one Spanish player will be in the semi-finals in New York.
That is because the top seed will face compatriot Feliciano Lopez in the fourth round, with the winner of that match taking on either David Ferrer or Fernando Verdasco in the quarter-finals.
‘That is positive news for us, very positive, because I think with the ball and the court here it is probably the most difficult tournament for us,’ Nadal said.
‘I congratulate my friends. Best of luck for everybody.’
As for his own form, which has seen him win all three matches in straight sets, Nadal added: ‘I think I am playing better, a little bit better, every day.
‘Today was a solid match, I think. The serve is still good, so that's a very important thing. From the baseline I think my movements and my shots start to improve to be better every day.’
A record nine Spanish players had reached the third round, with six now through to the fourth after wins for Nadal, Lopez, Ferrer, Verdasco and Tommy Robredo on Sunday, while Albert Montanes won on Saturday.
Ferrer advanced to the last 16 at Flushing Meadows for just the second time in his career with a comfortable 7-6 (7/2) 6-2 6-2 win over yet another Spaniard, Daniel Gimeno-Traver.
The last time Ferrer reached the fourth round in New York was in 2007, when he beat Nadal on his way to the semi-finals, which remains his best result in a Grand Slam.
Eighth seed Verdasco needed four sets to beat Argentina's David Nalbandian and is looking forward to the all-Spanish clash with Ferrer.
‘It's good that there is going to be for sure one Spanish player in the quarter-finals,’ Verdasco said. ‘It's always nice to see all the Spanish winning and being in the last rounds.
‘If you need to lose, it's better to lose against a Spanish player, then at least one guy is going to be here for one round more.
‘I'm happy. I hope to play well in the next round too, keep doing my work and my job as best as possible. I'm trying to be in the quarter-finals like last year.
‘The last few weeks before here the results were really tough. I lost to Mardy (Fish) 7-6 7-6 and also to (Jeremy) Chardy with the tie-breaks. They were tough matches, close matches, but I lost all of them.
‘So I'm happy how this tournament is going and I'm getting much more confidence. Beating Nalbandian, one of the players in the best form this summer, is going to help me for my confidence.’
Lopez was leading 6-3 4-0 against Sergiy Stakhovsky when the Ukrainian was forced to retire hurt from their third-round clash, while Robredo also benefited from a retirement, the Spaniard leading two sets to one and 2-1 in the fourth when France's Michael Llodra retired through injury.
The only disappointment for Spain came when 14th seed Nicolas Almagro lost in straight sets to American Sam Querrey.
The next opponent for Querrey will be Stanislas Wawrinka, after the Swiss, seeded 25th, knocked out fourth seed Andy Murray after coming from a set down to win 6-7 (3/7) 7-6 (7/4) 6-3 6-3.
