By Chris Oddo | Friday, January 23, 2015
Rafael Nadal returned to form on Day 5, taking down Israel's Dudi Sela in a one-sided affair to reach the second seek in Melbourne.
Photo Source: Corleve
The sting and pop of Rafael Nadal’s legendary game returned on Friday night in Melbourne, much to the chagrin of Israel’s Dudi Sela. Nadal’s 6-1, 6-0, 7-5 victory over the world 106 erased doubts about the Spaniard’s chances at this year’s Australian Open and, coupled with Roger Federer’s stunning upset at the hands of Andreas Seppi on Day 5, stirred hopes that there may indeed be a title run up the sleeve of the 14-time Grand Slam champion.
Day 5: Federer Stunned by Seppi | Roger's Epic Shank, Tweener | Bouchard Battles Past Garcia
But despite Nadal’s straight-sets triumph on Day 5, there remains a long road to travel.
“Obviously happy the way I played the first two sets,” Nadal said, after his victory. “Then the third play with more mistakes, but all is part of the process that I am doing. It's normal to play every day with a little bit more ups and downs when you are out for a while.”
Nadal saved all seven break points he faced, and shook off Sela’s best in the third set when he faced break points at 3-all and again at 5-all.
“My serve worked well on the break points,” he said. “I had one lucky break; that was at the net, with my forehand. But the rest of the points I played with determination, going to the net, having some good serves.”
Nadal struck 43 winners against 27 unforced errors in winning his 44th career Australian Open match. He moves into the second week in Melbourne for the 9th time and will face South Africa’s Kevin Anderson next.
Nadal could face Andy Murray in the semifinals if he gets through his next two matches. The Scot raced past Joao Sousa with commanding 6-1, 6-1, 7-5 victory which places him in the Australian Open’s round of 16 for the seventh consecutive year.
In other action on Day 5, Nick Kyrgios and Bernard Tomic advanced to the round of 16 with straight-sets wins. 19-year-old Kyrgios, a quarterfinalist at Wimbledon last year, reached the second week of his home major for the first time.