DE MINAUR NO MATCH FOR NADAL
SPANISH legend Rafael Nadal has put on a brutal tennis masterclass for Aussie teen Alex de Minaur in their Australian Open third round clash.
The world No.2 and 17-time grand slam champion bullied the 19-year-old on Rod Laver Arena winning 6-1, 6-2, 6-4.
It was a carbon copy of the pair’s only previous meeting, in the third round of Wimbledon last year, when Nadal rolled de Minaur by the same scoreline.
It ends the Australian No.1’s seven-match winning streak, which included the Sydney International title last week.
“I’ve had a great Aussie summer — I’m really proud of the effort I put in and I played some great tennis,” de Minaur said. “Obviously I’m a little bit disappointed that I wasn’t able to perform a little bit better but that’s just what Rafa does to you.”
Nadal next takes on Czech veteran Tomas Berdych, who overcame Argentinian 18th seed Diego Schwartzman in four sets earlier yesterday.
The slightly built de Minaur struggled with the heavy conditions.
Nadal came into the tournament under an injury cloud after ankle surgery but the 32year-old looked fit and strong.
While de Minaur showed heart, saving five match points, he could not match the Spanish bull, who belted 37 winners to his total of 21.
Nadal’s service game also gave the world No.29 plenty of headaches, serving at 75 per cent, with de Minaur only winning 19 per cent of points off the first serve.
Nadal made his opponent work for every point and the physical and mental toll of going the distance to win the title last week and his five-set win in the second round started to have an impact.
After wrapping up the first set in 40 minutes, he broke his rival in the first game.
He ticked off that set in 48 minutes to leave de Minaur sitting with his head covered by a PLAYER OF THE DAY: Amanda Anisimova – the 17-year-old and youngest player left in the women’s draw – blew 11th seed Aryna Sabalenka off the court 6-3 6-2 in a little over an hour to power in to the last 16, the youngest American to do so in Melbourne since Jennifer Capriati in 1993, and at any slam since Serena Williams in 1998. STAT OF THE DAY: Roger Federer’s 6-2 7-5 6-2 victory over Taylor Fritz was the Swiss marvel’s 17th in a row at Melbourne Park and propelled the 37-year-old two-time defending champion into the fourth round for the 17th time in his past 18 attempts. towel as he tried to rally himself for the third.
Declaring the youngster the fastest player on the tour, Nadal predicted a big future for de Minaur.
“I think I played a very solid match and I want to congratulate Alex for a great start to the season — I think he has an amazing future,” he said. MEANWHILE, Australian Kimberly Birrell’s run came to a halt at the hands of second seed Angelique Kerber.
The 20-year-old wildcard made a hasty third round exit with Kerber winning their clash 6-1, 6-0. Kerber next takes on American Danielle Collins, who downed 19th seed Caroline Garcia 6-3, 6-2. QUOTE OF THE DAY: “He’s got a bit of time, sticks around, shows he’s passionate about the game. That’s what we need to see. But we wish he was on the court rather than a commentary booth,” Federer on Nick Kyrgios’ debut appearance in the Ch 9 courtside bunker. TOURNAMENT SUMMARY: Maria Sharapova eliminated defending champion Caroline Wozniacki in the third round to set up a meeting with homegrown favourite Ashleigh Barty. Greek firebrand Stefanos Tsitsipas will face Federer in the round of 16 after posting a foulmouthed win over Georgia’s Nikoloz Basilashvili.