Celebrated a sovereign victory: Rafael Nadal. © ANSA / DAVE HUNT
Only one win separates the 20-time major winner Rafael Nadal and Olympic champion Alexander Zverev from the predicted quarter-final hit of the Australian Open against each other.
January 21, 2022
From: apa
Nadal gave his first set against Russian Karen Khachanov in the night session on Friday in Melbourne, but he was convincing. Zverev gave the qualifier Radu Albot from Moldova no chance at 6: 3.6: 4.6: 4 and did not lose a set at the first tennis Grand Slam tournament in 2022.
In the fight for the quarterfinals, Zverev now meets Canadian Denis Shapovalov, who eliminated American Reilly Opelka in four sets. The German wasn’t quite satisfied after his third appearance, as he had shown on the pitch with a racquet throw, among other things. “I didn’t feel perfect – but who is perfect? In the end I won and I’m happy about it,” said the 24-year-old. “Hopefully there will be four more good matches for me.” Zverev once again made it clear that he is clearly aiming for his first major title.
Alexander Zverev is in the round of 16 of the Australian Open. © APA / afp / MICHAEL ERREY
After the 6:3.6:2.3:6.6:1 and a particularly strong fourth set, Nadal had little to complain about. “I played against a strong player, that was definitely my best match since my comeback,” said the Spaniard happily. “Evenings like this mean everything to me, it gives me a lot of energy to keep fighting. I’m super happy.” Nadal’s next opponent was only determined well after midnight between last year’s semi-finalist Aslan Karatsev and Frenchman Adrian Mannarino.
