Rafa Nadal doesn't seem so embarrassed by his back in Australia.
-
Andy Brownbill / AP / SIPA
Bothered by his back at the start of the tournament, Rafael Nadal reached the quarter-finals of the Australian Open without losing a set after his 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 victory against Fabio Fognini (17th) on Monday in Melbourne.
Nadal will face the Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas (6th), who took advantage of Berretini's package to join the quarters without getting tired.
The Spaniard was never really endangered by Fognini, even when the Italian widened the gap 4 games to 2 in the second set.
He finally won in just over 2h15 of play. "It's an important victory for my confidence, I'm happy that my back is better," said "Rafa".
For his fourth game on the Australian courts, he appeared generally comfortable in the game and did not appear to be bothered by his sore back during his first two rounds.
An infiltration suffered on Friday relieved him since, he explained after his third round the next day.
Sport
Australian Open: Back injured, Rafa Nadal "hopes to be ready" for his entry into the tournament on Tuesday
Sport
Australian Open: “You've gone crazy!
Can you let me play?
"... When Medvedev takes his coach off the court
Novak Djokovic
Rafael Nadal
Australia
Tennis
Sport