MELBOURNE, Jan. 27 -- Rafael Nadal and Stanislas Wawrinka progressed to the quarterfinals of the Australian Open in Melbourne on Monday, with both players winning thrilling matches against very dangerous opponents.
Nadal edged ahead of Australia's Nick Kyrgios 6-3, 3-6, 7-6 (6), 7-6 (4), while Wawrinka defeated world No. 4 Daniil Medvedev 6-2, 2-6, 4-6, 7-6 (2), 6-2.
They join Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer in the final eight, with the business end of the tournament rapidly approaching.
Moving through in the women's draw was Simona Halep, who beat Elise Mertens 6-4, 6-4, while an in-form Garbine Muguruza defeated ninth seed Kiki Bertens 6-3, 6-3 to progress to the quarterfinals.
Monday night's Kyrgios-Nadal match-up was a big occasion for Australian fans, throwing their support behind the local hopeful who lived up to their expectations, despite it proving not to be enough.
In the past, Nadal has been critical of Kyrgios' on-court antics, which last year earned the Australian a six-month probation from the ATP tour. However, on the night, Kyrgios let his tennis speak for itself, drawing praise from across the net.
"Today I think he played very serious, he played very focused, and he tried his best," Nadal said after the match.
"When he's able to play like this, his talent is to be one of the best players in the world."
Before the match, Kyrgios emerged from the locker rooms wearing a Los Angeles Lakers jersey, in tribute to Kobe Bryant, who died in a helicopter crash on Sunday. He joined a raft of other players at the tournament who paid their respects to the fallen basketball legend throughout the day.
Nadal claimed the first set, outplaying Kyrgios in most measures, hitting more winners, and forcing more errors from his young opponent.
In the past, the Australian's biggest enemy has been himself, with his game deteriorating when the score is not in his favour.
However, this time after losing the first set, rather than crumble, Kyrgios stepped up to claim the second.
In a tiebreak for the third set, a glimpse of the old Kyrgios emerged, smashing a racquet, and dropping two points to give Nadal the upper hand.
Ultimately Nadal secured the match but not before Kyrgios managed to force a final tiebreak, keeping the match and the excitement alive a little bit longer for fans.
Earlier, Wawrinka and Medvedev played a thrilling match of their own, with the Swiss three-time Grand Slam champion managing an incredible resurgence from two sets down.
"When I enter the court, I enter to win. I know I have what it takes to do it. I knew it will be a really tough battle because he's a strong player," Wawrinka said after the match.
Two knee surgeries in 2017 threatened to put an end to Wawrinka's career, but his performance at this year's Australian Open suggests his previous form may be returning.
"I think last time I played so well was before the surgery. I think for sure, I feel since the off-season my level is really high," Wawrinka said. "Physically I'm moving better than last year. So I'm improving."
笑的诠释-透视文化的差异
爱莫大焉-为朋友献出生命
教师的心愿
默克尔率团访华 经济关系乃重中之重
完美新世界
改变我的生活的一封信
相信自己,追随梦想
中兴通讯盈利预警 股价大跌17%
香港女性成全球最长寿人群
两个人的早餐!
于洋宣布退役 英国奥运五金
美股或迎来2010年以来盈利最差财季
伴侣双方怎样和谐共眠?
The Circus 父亲之间的默契
新加坡:世界上最富的国家
爱,催人奋进的力量
通缉犯:牢房,我选这一间
中日之争与英阿冲突的异同
It's worth it!
雨天
培根美文赏析-Of Goodness and GOODNESS OF NATURE 论善
你是我心中最美
果园里的金子
父亲给儿子的一封信:当我日渐老去的时候
渣打悲剧中谁是真正的恶人?
“北极和平”的终结
男孩和树
我的座右铭:生活半对半
没了诚信我一天也不会快乐
A wonderful little girl 天使女儿救妈妈
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