Rafael Nadal managed to make it to the top 16 after he beat Spaniard Pablo Carreno Busta in straight sets to reach the Australian Open fourth round.
Nadal, the 33-year-old tennis player put up a good fight against Carreno giving him a two-set lead during the game and allowing the Spaniard only just five return points.
Carreno Busta who is seeded 27th, had some few chances to gain the lead in the third round against Nadal but the game ended up with a 6-1 6-2 6-4 win.
The 19-time Grand Slam champion could face Australian Nick Kyrgios, 24, who plays his third-round match against Russian 16th seed Karen Khachanov later on Saturday at Melbourne Park.
World No. 1 Rafael Nadal beats his Spanish comrade Carreno Busta in Australian Open game
If Kyrgios is to face off Nadal, that could be considered as an exciting match since the two have been rivals in the recent years not forgetting how Kyrgios mocked Nadal’s superstitious service routine, as did opponent Gilles Simon, in his second-round win over the Frenchman.
“It was my best match of the tournament without a doubt,” said Nadal, who hit 42 winners and made just seven unforced errors.
“When the conditions are warmer the ball bounces higher and flies through the air. That helps my game. I did very well with my serves and started to hit some forehands down the line. That is key for me.”
Nadal, who has only won the Australian Open once, in 2009, set up the potential blockbuster against Kyrgios with a clinical win over his friend Carreno Busta, with whom he helped Spain win the Davis Cup in November.
Also read: 10-man Arsenal Able to Hold Off Chelsea with Team Spirit
Subscribe to our newsletter now and know about the latest hottest music, lyrics and lugambo of the week!
Leave a Reply