Three hours and 42 minutes. For so long, world winger Rafael Nadal needed to defeat home opener Nick Kyrgios in the Australian Open and advance to the quarterfinals of the grand slam tournament.

The Spaniard won with the set numbers 6-3, 3-6, 7-6, 7-6 and had to struggle well for his points. Above all, it was a raffling third set that could have ended anyway, with Nadal eventually winning 8-6 in tiebreak. It made Kyrgios look black. The hot-headed Kyrgios chipped his rack into small pieces and felt every now and then like a beaten man.

Honored Bryant

In the fourth set, it looked like Nadal would run away easily, but the Australian struggled against and picked up a 3-5-under to 6-5 and then a new tiebreak. But the Spanish showed the class and also won there.

- You never have control over Nick. He's so hard to break. He played well. When he plays like today he gives an incredible amount back to our sport. He is one of the players with the greatest potential on the tour, ”says Nadal.

In his victory he honored the deceased Kobe Bryant.

- What should I say? I woke up this morning with this tragic news. It is very sad and he was one of the greatest athletes ever. Kobe Bryant will forever be in our hearts.

Fifth-seeded Austrian Dominic Thiem is now waiting in the quarterfinals.