bodyType

customContents

entityId

entityUuid

articlePageQuery

filter

article

articleBaseAdvertisingInfoArticle

articleListArticle

articleSeoArticle

hooksArticleAcknowledgementGateOverlayArticle

hooksTrackPageViewArticle

hooksContentInterestArticle

articleLinkingDataContent

hooksAmpRedirectArticle

articleSchemaContent

liveArticle

advertZone

sentiment

contentLock

topics

types

sections

paywallTypes

createdDate

publishedDate

sponsorType

urlAlias

moreOnThisArticles

commentCount

authorLocations

authors

corrections

displaySlideShow

multimediaEmbed

printHeadline

seriesContainer

articleSpeeches

socialHeadline

headline

images

flag

firstTopic

glossary

flattenTypeIds

image

relatedLinks

relatedNewsletters

__typename

sponsor

pdfFiles

seriesReverseOrder

series

disableOffPlatformContent

published

updatedDate

summary

subHeadline

body

keywords

readingTime

customTimezone

liveContents

Agence France-Presse

Top seed Rafael Nadal routed fellow Spaniard Pablo Carreno Busta for the loss of just seven games on Saturday as the world No 1 revved up his bid for a 20th grand slam title.
The 33-year-old was in virtuoso form to charge past the 27th seed 6-1, 6-2, 6-4 in hot sunshine on Rod Laver Arena and make the round of 16 at Melbourne Park for a 13th time.
“My best match of the tournament so far, without a doubt,” Nadal said. “I’m improving every day, so super-happy.
“I did well on my serve and hit good forehands down the line, which is a key shot for me.”

Nadal joined defending champion Novak Djokovic and great rival Roger Federer in the fourth round with a potential showdown next with Nick Kyrgios.
The Australian, who disparagingly labelled Nadal “super salty” last year, and mimicked his serving routine during his second-round clash, meets Russian Karen Khachanov later.
Pliskova, Bencic join Australian Open exit queue
Nadal, a finalist last year when he crashed to Novak Djokovic in straight sets, was far from clinical in his previous match against Federico Delbonis, winning only three out of 20 break points.
But his conversion rate against his Davis Cup teammate was much better, putting away five from 10 in a dominant display from the 2009 champion.
He broke Carreno Busta on his first service game to immediately take charge, dictating the rallies and forcing his opponent around the court.

Carreno Busta became a spectator as Nadal raced through the set in 29 minutes and he then broke again early in the second set to inflict more pain.
Nadal’s relentless consistency was too much for the 28-year-old, who had no answers to the constant pressure and pinpoint service returns that were a trademark in the easy win.
If Nadal clinches a second title in Melbourne, he will equal the 20 grand slam crowns held by Federer.
Victory would also make him the first man in the Open era – and only the third in history – to win all four major titles twice, after Roy Emerson and Rod Laver.


STYLE Edit: Richard Mille strikes new partnership with rising tennis star Sebastian Korda, who joins his sister World Golf champion Nelly Korda in the Swiss watchmaker’s pro athlete family

Djokovic, Johnson, Hong Kong’s ‘partygate’: why this is the year of #YouToo

Coronavirus: Novak Djokovic begins 3rd day in detention as Australia hits 100,000 cases for the first time

Vaccinated or unvaccinated? Novak Djokovic mystery deepens as stars arrive ahead of Australian Open

Australian Open 2021

Australian Open: Rafael Nadal crushes Pablo Carreno Busta to cruise into last 16

Rafael Nadal celebrates winning his men’s singles third round match against Pablo Carreno Busta at the Australian Open. Photo: EPA-EFE

Spain's Rafael Nadal celebrates after beating Spain's Pablo Carreno Busta during their men's singles match on day six of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 25, 2020. (Photo by William WEST / AFP) / IMAGE RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE

epa08161727 Rafael Nadal of Spain in action during his third round match against Pablo Carreno Busta of Spain on day six of the Australian Open tennis tournament at Melbourne Park in Melbourne, Australia, 25 January 2020. EPA-EFE/SCOTT BARBOUR AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND OUT EDITORIAL USE ONLY

Australian Open: Karolina Pliskova, Belinda Bencic join exit queue; Simona Halep through

Karolina Pliskova looks dejected as she plays Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova at the Australian Open. Photo: EPA-EFE

epa08161428 Anett Kontaveit of Estonia celebrates after winning her third round match against Belinda Bencic of Switzerland at the Australian Open tennis tournament at Melbourne Park in Melbourne, Australia, 25 January 2020. EPA-EFE/LUKAS COCH AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND OUT EDITORIAL USE ONLY

epa08161362 Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova of Russia celebrates after winning her third round match against Karolina Pliskova of the Czech Republic at the Australian Open tennis tournament at Melbourne Park in Melbourne, Australia, 25 January 2020. EPA-EFE/ROB PREZIOSO AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND OUT EDITORIAL USE ONLY

Australian Open: Serena Williams dumped out by Wang Qiang in Melbourne

Serena Williams was knocked out of the Australian Open in round three by China’s Wang Qiang. Photo: AFP

Australian Open: Caroline Wozniacki’s tennis career ends in defeat against Ons Jabeur

A tearful Caroline Wozniacki calls time on her glittering tennis career. Photo: EPA

Australian Open: Nick Kyrgios serves up fresh dig at rival Rafa Nadal

Nick Kyrgios has reignited the flames of his rivalry with Rafa Nadal. Photo: EPA

Australian Open: Priscilla Hon goes down to Angelique Kerber in second round clash

Priscilla Hon has bowed out of the Australian Open in the second round. Photo: EPA

Germany's Angelique Kerber, left, is congratulated by Australia's Priscilla Hon after winning their second round singles match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Thursday, Jan. 23, 2020. (AP Photo/Andy Brownbill)

Sport

Tennis

Top seed charges past 27th seed 6-1, 6-2, 6-4 on Rod Laver Arena
Spaniard could face Nick Kyrgios next after ‘my best match of the tournament so far’


Rafael Nadal thrashes Pablo Carreno Busta in ‘my best match of the tournament so far’ and could face Nick Kyrgios next in fourth round.


Rafael Nadal

Australian Open: Rafael Nadal crushes Pablo Carreno Busta to cruise into last 16

.css-1mniedq{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;}Top seed charges past 27th seed 6-1, 6-2, 6-4 on Rod Laver Arena Spaniard could face Nick Kyrgios next after ‘my best match of the tournament so far’

Top seed charges past 27th seed 6-1, 6-2, 6-4 on Rod Laver Arena

Spaniard could face Nick Kyrgios next after ‘my best match of the tournament so far’