Australian Open 2022: Rafael Nadal gaining confidence as he reaches 4th spherical with 4-set win over Khachanov

20-time Grand champion Rafael Nadal dropped a set for the primary time on the Australian Open 2022 however the Spaniard made it to the Round of 16 for the fifteenth time in 17 appearances on the season’s first Grand Slam. The sixth seed defeated Tokyo Olympics runner-up Karen Khachanov 6-3, 6-2, 3-6, 6-1 of their third-round match on the Rod Laver Arena on Friday.

Rafael Nadal had not performed aggressive tennis for the reason that US Open final 12 months because of a foot damage earlier than he arrived in Melbourne. After profitable the Melbourne Summer Set for his 89th tour-level title in January, Nadal had headed to the Australian Open with doubts over type however the 34-year-old has proven that he’s right here to push for his 2nd Australian Open crown with a dominant present up to now at Melbourne Park.Khachanov, seeded twenty eighth, threw warning to the wind within the third set, stalling Nadal’s cost with some ferocious hitting.Olympic runner-up Khachanov had misplaced all seven earlier conferences with 2009 Australian Open champion Nadal however briefly appeared able to mounting a comeback.Nadal seized again management with a break of serve initially of the fourth, nevertheless, and with the clock having ticked previous midnight on Rod Laver Arena he completed it off in a rush.”I have gone through some very tough times over the past year,” Nadal stated.”But nights like tonight mean everything. I keep fighting and going every day. I put a lot of effort in to be back with where I am today, so I am happy.””Lots of energy in my pocket to keep going, keep fighting.” @RafaelNadal isn’t executed with but #AusOpen #AO2022 #AOinterview pic.twitter.com/3joVZ1ziTi— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 21, 2022
Nadal will face one other Russian, 18th seed Aslan Karatsev, or Frenchman Adrian Mannarino subsequent.VERY SPECIAL WEEK FOR ME: NADALWith Federer nonetheless injured and nine-time Australian Open champion Djokovic deported after a visa row, Nadal has an opportunity to edge forward of that duo with whom he shares the document for many males’s Grand Slam titles.After routine wins towards 66th-ranked American Marcos Giron and German qualifier Yannick Hanfmann in rounds one and two, Khachanov represented a step up at school for Nadal regardless of the Russian having solely ever received one set off the Mallorcan.”It is a very special week for me, coming back,” Nadal stated.”Every single time I am able to play here is very special. Tonight I played against a great player and a good friend on Tour. It was my best match since I have come back without a doubt.” (With Reuters Inputs)