By Richard Pagliaro | Friday, January 21, 2022

 

"I have been going through some very tough times the last year and a half, but for me nights like today mean everything," sixth-seeded Rafael Nadal said.

Photo credit: Getty

Bursting off the baseline as if it were starting blocks, Rafael Nadal continued charging through the Australian Open field.

An assertive Nadal won 23 of 26 net points defeating Karen Khachanov 6-3, 2-6, 3-6, 6-1 to surge into the Australian Open fourth round for the 15th time.

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Seventeen yeas after Nadal advanced to his first AO round of 16 at the tender age of 18, he’s competing with the energy and enthusiasm of a man appreciating each major opportunity.

“Of course, it’s a very special week for me,” said Nadal. “Coming back from where I’m coming every single time I’m able to play here is a very special thing.

“Tonight, I played against a great player and I think a good friend on tour. Happy with my best match—no doubt—since I came back. I wish him all the best for the season. Honestly, I wish him well.”

Continuing his quest for a men’s record 21st major championship, Nadal will play either 18th-seeded Russian Aslan Karatsev or veteran French left-hander Adrian Mannarino for a trip to his sixth straight AO quarterfinal.

Playing closer to the baseline for the opening two sets, Nadal served with vigor and struck with conviction hitting 39 winners against 30 unforced errors.

The sixth seed served 67 percent and fought off four of five break points raising his 2022 record to 6-0 as he chases his 90th career title.

The 35-year-old Spaniard pulled the plug on his 2021 season due to a chronic foot injury after losing to Lloyd Harris in Washington, DC last August. Nadal has put his best foot forward in his comeback winning the Melbourne Summer Set title earlier this month and dispatching Khachanov for the eighth time in as many meetings with what he called the best match of his comeback.

“For the moment yes I have been going through some very tough times the last year and a half, but for me nights like today mean everything,” Nadal said. “That’s a lot of energy in my pocket to keep fighting every single day and all the effort we put to try to be back where we are today means everything.”

Staring down break point at 2-1 in the second set, Nadal curled the wide serve to displace the Russian then ripped the forehand into the open court, eventually holding for 3-1. 

Crunching his diagonal forehand with damaging intent, Nadal cruised to a two-set lead after 79 minutes of play. Nadal won seven of nine net points in the 51-minute second set. Despite the fact Khachanov served 74 percent and smacked seven aces in the set, Nadal broke twice.

Striving to find cracks in the Spaniard’s game, Khachanov kept firing away. The 6’6” Russian flattened out a forehand drawing an error to break for a 3-1 third-set lead.

The 28th-seeded Russian repelled three break points in the fourth game unleashing a churning forehand down the line to hold for 4-1.

Serving for the third set, Khachanov benefitted from a fortuitous net-cord for triple set point. Pounding down the wide serve, Khachanov bellowed “come on!” forcing a fourth set after two hours, 16 minutes. The Russian ripped 17 winners—10 more than Nadal—in the third set.



The 20-time Grand Slam champion snuffed out the uprising immediately restoring order.

Dancing around his backhand, Nadal was near the doubles alley when he flashed a diagonal forehand winner for a break point at the start of the fourth set. Khachanov defended the break point, but Nadal would not be denied.

Exceptional defense helped earn the break: Nadal was off the doubles alley to flick a forehand return, he sprinted sideline to sideline slashing a backhand pass down the line to break for 2-0 with a furious first pump that fired up fans five minutes before midnight.

That sensational coast-to-coast surge empowered Nadal and dispirited Khachanov. Nadal threw down one final serve bolt and celebrated his two hour, 50 minute win hurling a fist of triumph toward his support box as he continues hurtling toward history.

"I am in a situation that every single day is a new day," Nadal said. "A special one today. Have been a very important one for me personally. I just want to keep going. After tomorrow another chance against a very tough opponent again. Let's see what can happen.

"Of course, today, as I said, toughest opponent I played since I came back. I was able to reach I think a very good level of tennis."