Nadal, Medvedev, Tsitsipas Make It To Australian Open Quarterfinals

Former world number one, Rafael Nadal, has qualified for the quarterfinals of the Australian Open after defeating Adrian Mannarino 7-6 (16-14) 6-2 6-2. Nadal is close to winning his 21st Grand Slam title, which would make him the man with the most Grand Slam titles since the open era, putting him ahead of Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal. It would also give him his second Australian Open title and make him the second man, after Novak Djokovic, to have won at least 2 Grand Slam titles each at all four venues. Since winning his first Australian Open title in 2009, Nadal has qualified as a finalist five times since then. He would face Canadian Denis Shapovalov to make it to the next round.

Shapovalov would enter the quarterfinals after defeating world number 3, Alexander Zverev 6-3 7-6 (7-5) 6-3. Zverev has, once again, been denied the chance of winning his first Grand Slam title. He entered the event as a favourite and expressed optimism in winning the title, which would have improved his ranking to world number one due to Djokovic’s absence.

Stefanos Tsitsipas overcame Taylor Fritz in a battle of five sets to progress to the quarterfinals. Tsitsipas, who is aiming for his first Grand Slam title, came from behind to beat Fritz 4-6 6-4 4-6 6-3 6-4. The Greek would face Jannik Sinner in the quarterfinals.

Daniil Medvedev, who is the top-ranked player at this event, made it to the quarterfinals after a tough battle against Maxime Cressy, which ended 6-2 7-6 (7-4) 6-7 (4-7) 7-5. He complained about the court situation after the win, saying the space was not enough for him. He would face Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime in the round of 8.

The other two men who would meet at the quarterfinals are Matteo Berrettini and Gael Monfils.

Written by: Leon Osamor