Rafael Nadal at the quarter-finals for a Grand Slam tournament for the 43rd time in his career, three Russian players present in the Rollercoaster and the Australian Ashleigh Barty qualified for the last four of “his” tournament.
Here is what to remember from the 8th day of the Australian Open played on the night from Sunday to Monday.
The star: Nadal awaits Tsitsipas
While his great rival Novak Djokovic continues to bear all the sorrows in the world on his painful abdominals, which he complains about regularly, Rafael Nadal continues his journey in silence.
Despite a loose back that prevented him from playing and training normally for weeks, the Spaniard had no difficulty getting rid of the Italian Fabio Fognini (17th in the world) in three sets (6- 3, 6-4, 6-2).
“In the first set, I clearly reached my best level since the start of the tournament, relishes the world number 2.
But that's normal, because I was able to train two days in a row.
It makes a huge difference.
"
In the next round, Nadal, who if successful on Sunday 21 February can become the first player to afford 21 Grand Slam tournaments, will face the Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas (no.6), who qualified without playing following Matteo's forfeit. Berrettini (abdominals).
43. In three short sets against Fabio Fognini, @RafaelNadal qualified for the 43rd quarter-final of his career in Grand Slam, the 13th at the Australian Open.
Only Roger Federer (57) and Novak Djokovic (48) have more qualifications than the Spaniard.
#AusOpen pic.twitter.com/LdmxP0XvG0
- Game, Set and Math (@JeuSetMaths) February 15, 2021
The perf ': three Russians in quarters
And two that make three!
This is a first in the Open era that began at the end of the 1960s. The day after the qualification for the quarter-finals of the unexpected Aslan Karatsev (world n ° 114 and from qualifying), Daniil Medvedev (n ° 4) and Andrey Rublev (n ° 8) have also canceled their sesame for the Rollercoaster.
It is the first time that three Russian players are present at this stage of the competition.
Medvedev, who remains on 18 consecutive wins on the circuit, defeated American Mackenzie McDonald (No. 192) in 89 minutes and three sets (6-4, 6-2, 6-3).
Rublev benefited from the abandonment of Casper Ruud (28th) after two sets (6-2, 7-6).
The two friends will meet face to face for a place in the half.
History for Russia 🇷🇺
For the first time in the Open Era, three Russian men have reached the quarter-finals of a Grand Slam #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/NuXZ7KCyxt
- ATP Tour (@atptour) February 15, 2021
The number: 33
Say 33!
Year after year, tournament after tournament, Rafael Nadal inscribes his name a little more in the history of his sport.
Winner of Fabio Fognini in three rounds, the Manacor bull won the last 33 sets he played in Grand Slam.
It is a little closer to the beautiful series of John McEnroe (35 sets) and the record held by Roger Federer (36).
Nadal has not lost a single Grand Slam round since his elimination in four sets in the Australian Open quarter-finals against Dominic Thiem last year.
The surprise guest: Jessica Pegula
Unknown to the general public and ranked 61st in the world, American Jessica Pegula qualified for the first of her career for the quarterfinals of a Grand Slam.
The 26-year-old overcame a slump in the second set to overcome world No.5 Elina Svitolina (6-4, 3-6, 6-3).
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She made an appointment with her compatriot and friend Jennifer Brady (No. 24) in the quarterfinals.
“See you next round Jen,” the daughter of Terry Pegula, an American billionaire who has made his fortune in natural gas extraction, real estate and professional sports, wrote on camera.
In particular, he owns the Buffalo Sabers (ice hockey) franchises and, with his wife Kim, the Buffalo Bills (American football).
Onto the QF 🐍 #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/UBBoTprw8a
- Jessie Pegula (@JLPegula) February 15, 2021
The phrase
“It's great to be in the quarterfinals again.
If I had been told a few months ago, I would have taken it with a huge smile.
The Australian Ashleigh Barty has qualified for the quarter-finals of "her tournament", where she will face Karolina Muchova (n ° 27).
A great revenge for the world No. 1 who had not played for 11 months and now remains on eight successes (she had won a preparatory tournament for the Australian Open).