Rafael Nadal survived a first set tiebreak of the marathon to secure his place in the quarter-finals of Sunday’s Australian Open and will face Denis Shapovalov after Canadian Alexander Zverev stunned. Later, in the women’s draw, giant killer Amanda Anisimova tries to kill world number one and popular favorite Ashleigh Barty as her latest victim in Melbourne Park. A pumped-up Nadal, who is chasing a men’s record of the 21st Grand Slam title, was pushed all the way by Adrian Mannarino in the first set before breaking the Frenchman’s determination in a 7-6 (16/14), 6- 2, 6 -2 win in scorching heat.
“The first set was very emotional,” said 35-year-old Nadal, the 2009 Australian Open champion, who clenched his fists after winning an epic 28-minute tiebreak on a hot day in Melbourne.
“That crazy first set was so important.”
The Spaniard, who dropped a set for the first time in the tournament before passing Russia’s Karen Khachanov in the previous round, now faces Canada’s 14th seed Shapovalov in the last eight.
Shapovalov left Olympic champion and third seed Zverev still looking for his first major title after beating him 6-3, 7-6 (7-5), 6-3.
“It is always an honor to play against someone like Rafa,” said 22-year-old Shapovalov.
“Always fun, always struggle, it gets tough.”
Later on, the Italian seventh seed Matteo Berrettini will face the Spanish 19th seed Pablo Carreno Busta.
The flamboyant 17th-seeded Gael Monfils, unbeaten this year after winning a warm-up in Adelaide, has yet to drop another set to face Serbian Miomir Kecmanovic.
The ageless 35-year-old Frenchman Monfils is aiming for a performance in the second quarterfinal at Melbourne Park and the first for six years.
‘Really amazing’
In the women’s draw, French Open champion Barbora Krejcikova blew away former two-time Melbourne champion Victoria Azarenka, who had a neck problem, to mount a final eight-clash with unseeded American Madison Keys.
Czech Republic’s fourth seed Krejcikova went 6-2, 6-2 against the Belarusian, who won the title in 2012 and 2013.
But Maria Sakkari of Greece as fifth seed was a surprise loser, going 7-6 (7/0), 6-3 to another American, Jessica Pegula, who revealed earlier this week that she relaxed by spending every night at the casino. to spend.
“It was really great today because she is a champion here and she loves this track, she has a lot of experience on this track,” Azarenka’s Krejcikova said.
Keys swept past Spain’s Paula Badosa to finish eighth, 6-3, 6-1.
“Absolutely amazing,” Keys said. “I served pretty well and I think I came back pretty good.”
Later, 20-year-old Anisimova, fresh from knocking out defending champion Naomi Osaka, has Barty in his sights in the night session at the Rod Laver Arena. The winner plays Pegula.
Australia will look to see if Barty can keep the Melbourne Park party going in search of a maiden home Slam triumph, to add to her Roland Garros and Wimbledon crowns.
promoted
Barty has dropped just eight games while on her way to a first Australian Open crown.
60th-ranked American Anisimova also caused a stir with a second-round win over Tokyo Olympic gold medalist Belinda Bencic and was bolstered by a famous come-from-behind win over Osaka.
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