Kyrgios, during his match against Khachanov.
Rafael Nadal, world number one, qualified this Saturday for the round of 16 of the Australian Open by overwhelming his compatriot Pablo Carreo (30) in three sets (6-1, 6-2, 6-4). All Nick Kyrgios awaits, in a game full of morbidity.
The Australian prevailed later in a five-game game Karen Khachanov: 6-2, 7-6 (7/5), 6-7 (6/8), 6-7 (7/9), 7-6 (10/8) in four hours and 26 minutes. The Russian came to waste a match ball in the final super tie-break.
“Rafa is an incredible player, although I am only thinking about my legs and eating something to be honest. He is a champion and I hope to give everything that is within my reach. What worries me most now is to recover well,” Kyrgios commented. after winning.
“Without a doubt, it was my best match of the tournament so far. There is a huge difference between today and the previous days,” said the Mallorcan tennis player, who seeks in Melbourne to get his Grand Slam title number 20 to match the record of trophies of this category of his great rival Roger Federer.
Nadal already talked about the possibility of having to play against Kyrgios in the next round and remembered his little affinity with the always controversial player, known for his volcanic temperament and his high-sounding statements. “When he is willing to play his best tennis and plays with passion, he is part of the players who add a plus to our circuit. But when he does his thing, of course I don't like that,” he said.
The last time the faces were seen was in Wimbledon last year, when Nadal was able to take his revenge after winning a tight 6-3, 3-6, 7-6 (5) and 7-6 (3). The Spanish has a favorable 4-3 in direct confrontations. The Australian, however, has a balance in his favor in the games that played on hard surface, because Kyrgios took the victory in both Cincinnati (2017) and Acapulco (2019); while Nadal won the Pekn final in 2017.
After his victory this Saturday, Nadal also said he could see “almost everything” the game that Federer played on the eve, the duel in which the Swiss veteran was close to being eliminated and could only win John millman in the super tie break of the fifth set, after four hours of the game. That duel ended on Friday night on Saturday, in Australian time.
“Ped room service. I ended up eating very late, so I decided to stay in the room. I was watching series alternating with the game. But I watched most of the game,” Rafa said. “Millman played a good game. Roger, in my opinion, had ups and downs,” he said. “Everything can happen, but Federer is Federer“I sentenced.
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