• Thu. Apr 25th, 2024

Rafael Nadal Reaches Australian Open Quarter-finals

File photo of Rafael Nadal. Pic by Sky sports

Former champion Rafael Nadal and fourth seed Daniil Medvedev both cruised into the Australian Open quarter-finals.

Spaniard Nadal, the 2009 winner and number two seed, gained a routine 6-3 6-4 6-2 win over Italy’s 16th seed Fabio Fognini at Melbourne Park.

Nadal will face Stefanos Tsitsipas in the last eight on Wednesday.

The Greek fifth seed was handed a walkover win in round four after Matteo Berrettini of Italy had to withdraw because of an abdominal injury.

Tsitsipas had been due to play ninth seed Berrettini in the final game on Rod Laver Arena on Monday.

“I have had a problem with my abs and I spoke to the doctors and they told me it could just get worse,” said Berrettini, 24.

“I’m not 100% and me and my team decided it was not worth the risk to play.”

BBC