Rafael Nadal held off a spirited effort from Nick Kyrgios to win their fourth-round clash 6-3 3-6 7-6(6) 7-6(4) to progress to the quarter-final stage of the Australian Open.
The world number one had not dropped a set coming into the grudge match against Kyrgios but the Australian firebrand had won two of their last three matches on hardcourts.
However, it was Nadal who emerged victorious, despite a late rally from Kyrgios in the fourth set, and the 19-time Grand Slam champion will face Dominic Thiem for a spot in the last four.
An at times visibly tired Kyrgios fought valiantly against an onslaught from the top seed but will be left to rue his choice of a drop shot in the fourth-set breaker, and a costly double fault in the third-set breaker.
However, Nadal eventually wore him down, progressing after three hours and 42 minutes
Latest Stories
-
Unless EC has rules against officials receiving lunch money, nothing can be done in ‘envelope scandal’ – Prof Agyeman Duah
2 mins -
Singer Ayra Starr releases artwork, track list for ‘Sophomore Album’
11 mins -
Actress Sola Sobowale debunks drug trafficking and arrests in Saudi Arabia
21 mins -
Zebra on loose after escape in US mountain country
34 mins -
Apple iPhone sales fall in nearly all countries
41 mins -
Bawumia takes campaign tour to Western Region
58 mins -
Ghana and India discuss trade at the fourth JTC meeting
1 hour -
Nkwanta South: MCE kneels to beg chiefs to give peace a chance
2 hours -
NDC hopes to win a majority of votes in Ho Central
2 hours -
Ghana moves up to 50th on World Press Freedom Index
2 hours -
I will make you millionaires – Bawumia assures small-scale miners
2 hours -
Majority caucus requests reconvening of Parliament
2 hours -
Ghana ranks as 4th most stressful country for workers in Sub-Saharan Africa
3 hours -
Today’s front pages: Friday, May 3, 2024
3 hours -
CAFCC: USM Alger file appeal at CAS to contest CAF’s decisions on RS Berkane jersey
4 hours