Rafael Nadal looked back to his best after recent problems as exciting Australian youngster Nick Kyrgios (just 19) won a memorable five-setter to reach the quarter-finals at the Australian Open yesterday
Australia's Nick Kyrgios returns to Italy's Andreas Seppi even as a ballboy tries to get out of the way in Melbourne yesterday
Melbourne: Rafael Nadal looked back to his best after recent problems as exciting Australian youngster Nick Kyrgios (just 19) won a memorable five-setter to reach the quarter-finals at the Australian Open yesterday.
Australia's Nick Kyrgios returns to Italy's Andreas Seppi even as a ballboy tries to get out of the way in Melbourne yesterday
Spain's World No 3 Nadal mastered big-serving South African Kevin Anderson 7-5, 6-1, 6-4 on Rod Laver Arena to set up a last eight showdown with Czech seventh seed Tomas Berdych.
ADVERTISEMENT
It will be Nadal's eighth quarter-final appearance as he bids for his second Australian title after losing to Stan Wawrinka in last year's decider. Nadal, who won the Open in 2009, showed no signs of the cramps and dizzy spells he suffered when taken to five sets by American Tim Smyczek in the second round as he starts hitting top form.
Berdych wins too
Berdych was too strong for Australia's Bernard Tomic, winning in straight sets. Berdych, a semi-finalist last year, had too much power for the 66th-ranked Tomic to win 6-2, 7-6 (7/3), 6-2 in two hours one minute, taking his record against the Australian to 3-0.
Meanwhile, at the Hisense Arena local teen Kyrgios roared back from match point down to beatl Roger Federer's conqueror Andreas Seppi in five sets.
The 53rd-ranked Kyrgios fought off a match point at 5-6 in Set 4 and then forced a tiebreaker before winning 5-7, 4-6, 6-3, 7-6 (7/5) 8-6. Kyrgios had caused a sensational upset beating then
No 1 Nadal to reach the quarters at Wimbledon last year.
Meanwhile, Murray won an engrossing four-setter 6-4, 6-7 (5/7), 6-3, 7-5 against Grigor Dimitrov to set up a showdown with Kyrgios.
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
