The No. 2 seed in the tournament needed more than two hours, but defeated Fabio Ponini (16) 3: 6, 4: 6, 2: 6 on the way to the last 8 • Daniel Medvedev also recorded an easy victory over Mackenzie McDonald in three sets • In women: Alina Svitolina ( 5) Surprised by Jessica Pegola (61)
Nadal and Ponini.
The Spaniard dreams of the 21st
Photo:
AFP
Rafael Nadal dreams of another 21-year Grand Slam win to become the greatest of them all, and this morning he took another step there, qualifying for the Australian Open quarterfinals.
The Spaniard, ranked 2nd in the tournament, met the 16th ranked Italian Fabio Ponini, and after two and a quarter hours won in three sets 3: 6, 4: 6, 2: 6.
Seems easy, but the bull from Mallorca worked hard.
Next he will meet the winner between Stefanos Tsitsipas (5) and Matteo Bartini (9), two big mines that could cut Nadal off from the 21st win.
Daniel Medvedev also in the quarterfinals after a victory in three sets.
The Russian looked in good shape and did not have a hard time against the American Mackenzie McDonald on the way to 4: 6, 2: 6, 3: 6.
In the women, Jennifer Brady (22) defeated 1: 6, 5: 7 over Donna and Kitsch (28) on the way to the quarterfinals, and she will next meet the big surprise in the form of Jessica Pegola.
Pegula, ranked 61st in the world after a series of injuries, surprised No. 5 Alina Svitolina in a close battle between three sets, 4: 6, 6: 3, 3: 6.