In a hard-fought match, world number 1 Rafael Nadal on Monday secured a win over Australia’s Nick Kyrgios at Rod Laver Arena to book his spot in the quarterfinals of Australian Open.
In a match that lasted for three hours and 38 minutes, Nadal defeated local boy Kyrgios 6-3, 3-6, 7-6, 7-6.
The 19-time Grand Slam champion advanced to his 12th Australian open quarterfinal. He equalled Jimmy Connors’ record of playing 41 Grand Slam quarter-finals.
Nadal looked in good form and clinched the opening set 6-3 in 36 minutes. However, Kyrgios bounced back and took the second set 3-6 in 46 minutes.
In the third set, both players looked to gain the upper hand and the set went into a tiebreak. Nadal’s experience came handy as he clinched the third set 7-6.
In the fourth set, the 33-year-old Spaniard took an early lead by going past Kyrgios for a 2-1 lead. Nadal extended his lead to 5-3 but the Aussie broke back and levelled the set 5-5.
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However, the world number 1 controlled his nerves and took the set 7-5.
Both the players paid their tributes to the American basketball legend Kobe Bryant who was killed along with his 13-year-old daughter Gianna in a helicopter crash today.
.@RafaelNadal pays tribute to the late Kobe Bryant.#AO2020 | #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/82wGbWfN3z
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 27, 2020
Nick Kyrgios reflected on the late 41-year-old and how he used the news to ‘motivate’ himself in his fourth round match up with Rafael Nadal.
.@NickKyrgios reflects on the late Kobe Bryant and how he used the news to ‘motivate’ himself in his fourth round match up with Rafael Nadal.#AusOpen | #AO2020 pic.twitter.com/3a2Qeny0DT
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 27, 2020
Earlier today, Germany’s Alexander Zverev cruised into the quarter-finals of the Australian Open after securing a straight-sets victory over Andrey Rublev of Russia. On the other hand, Switzerland’s Stan Wawrinka stunned Daniil Medvedev of Russia to reach the last eight of the tournament.
Dominic Thiem of Austria also booked his berth in the last eight after registering a win over France’s Gael Monfils.
(With ANI inputs)