MADRID, Jan. 27 (SportsFinding) –
Spanish tennis player Rafa Nadal passed with note the test he had before Nick Kyrgios to reach the quarterfinals at the Australian Open, the first 'Grand Slam' of the season, and met with Austrian Dominic Thiem, after undoing with one step ahead of the Australian 6-3, 3-6, 7-6 (6) and 7-6 (4) in three hours and 38 minutes of the game.
The world number one surely signed his best match so far in the tournament. And he needed it to beat Canberra, who came from a beating with the Russian Karen Kachanov, and that facet was saved more than 'showman' that sometimes hurts him to show the talent that is presupposed and force the manacorí not to clue in no time.
Although the champion in Melbourne in 2009 dominated the first and fourth set with some authority, the latter already with his rival noting the physical effort of his previous meeting and the wear and tear of fighting from the bottom of the Manacori, the ocean never gave up and He knew how to take advantage of his few opportunities to the rest to extend a duel between two players who offered a great level.
Nadal closed the pass to the quarterfinals with a total of 64 winning strokes, with a lethal 'drive' despite playing at night and a two-handed setback that also did a lot of damage, for only 27 unforced errors, while Kyrgios replied, supported by his powerful serve (25 direct serves) for 50 winners and more errors (43).
The Spaniard, in addition, was very solid at the service, with only 12 points lost with his first service and granting only three balls of 'break', which curiously did not save to pay a price that was not excessively expensive because he knew how to handle compasses better more tense of the duel in the two tie-breaks.
Kyrgios jumped to the Rod Laver Arena with a t-shirt tribute to Kobe Bryant and his '8', in what was one of the few remote samples of tennis he offered on the Australian night. Nadal also gave no concessions and knew how to wait patiently for his opportunity to the rest, who arrived in the fourth game where he achieved the 'break' that allowed him to close the first set.
The Balearic continued at a very good level and was able to track the second set, but wasted a valuable 15-40. The local player endured and left samples of his quality, and it was then he who found one of his few opportunities for the rest to break and take his first good advantage (3-1).
The Canberra then grabbed at his service to match a duel that entered its best phase in the third set, high level on both sides and with the shots being imposed. There was only one option of breakage, in favor of the world number one with 4-3 up on the scoreboard, but saved by a Kyrgios that reached the 'sudden death'.
Nadal showed his mental strength to take it after having wasted a set ball with an inopportune double foul and that blow seemed final for his rival, more punished and that he gave blank his serve at the start of the fourth quarter.
The champion of 19 'great' then threw out of service and planted with 5-4 after losing only two points to serve. However, unexpectedly, he failed to close the game and the Australian took life and air to play his fortune in another 'tie-break' where he no longer forgave to reach for the 41st time the quarterfinals in a 'Grand Slam'.