RAFAEL Nadal survived a marathon first-set tiebreak to seal his spot in the quarter-finals of the Australian Open today, and will face Denis Shapovalov after he stunned Alexander Zverev.

In the women’s draw, giant-killer Amanda Anisimova tries to make world number one and hot favourite Ashleigh Barty her latest victim at Melbourne Park.

A pumped-up Nadal, who is chasing a men’s record 21st Grand Slam title, was pushed by Adrian Mannarino in the first set, before breaking the latter’s resolve in a 7-6 (16/14), 6-2, 6-2 victory in searing heat.

“The first set was very emotional,” said Nadal, 35, the 2009 Australian Open champion, who pumped his fists after emerging victorious from an epic 28-minute tiebreak on a steamy day in Melbourne.

“That crazy first set was so important.”

The Spaniard, who dropped a set for the first time in the tournament before powering past Russia’s Karen Khachanov in the previous round, will now face Canada’s Shapovalov in the last eight.

Shapovalov left Olympic champion and third seed Zverev still searching for a first major title after beating him 6-3, 7-6 (7-5), 6-3.

“It is always an honour to play someone like Rafa,” said the 22-year-old 14th seed.

“Always fun, always going to be a battle, it’s going to be tough.”

In action later is Italian seventh seed Matteo Berrettini against Spanish 19th seed Pablo Carreno Busta.

France’s 17th seed Gael Monfils, unbeaten this year after winning a warm-up event in Adelaide, is yet to drop a set and comes up against Serbia’s Miomir Kecmanovic.

The flamboyant 35-year-old is targeting a second quarter-final appearance at Melbourne Park and the first for six years. – AFP, January 23, 2022.