Australian Open: Nadal, Barty, Monfils all through to quarterfinals
Zverev shocked by Shapovalov, Sakkari, Azarenka knocked out
World number six and 20-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal faced no problems as he defeated unseeded Frenchman Adrian Mannarino in straight sets to book his place in the quarterfinals of the Australian Open.
Nadal claimed a 7-6 6-2 6-2 win over Mannarino as he moved into the quarterfinals in Melbourne and is now only three matches from winning a record-breaking 21st Grand Slam.
World number seven Matteo Berrettini also claimed a straight sets win over Spain’s Pablo Carreno Busta at the Rod Laver Arena to secure his place in the quarterfinals of the Australian Open. Berrettini won the match 7-5 7-6 6-4 to qualify for the last eight in the tournament.
Canada’s Denis Shapovalov stunned tennis fans with a straight sets win over World number three Alexander Zverev. World number 14 Shapovalov won 6-3 7-6 6-3 to book his place in the quarterfinals of the Australian Open. Shapovalov will face Rafael Nadal for a place in the semifinals of the tournament.
Experienced Frenchman Gael Monfils defeated unseeded Serbian Miomir Kecmanovic in straight sets to qualify for the quarterfinals in Melbourne. Monfils won the clash 7-5 7-6 6-3. The Frenchman will face Matteo Berrettini for a place in the last four of the tournament.
In the women’s side of the tournament, World number one Ashleigh Barty continued on her way to winning the title on home soil as she dispatched America’s Amanda Anisimova with relative ease in straight sets 6-4 6-3 to qualify for the Australian Open quarterfinals.
America’s Jessica Pegula claimed a straight sets win over Greek World number five Maria Sakkari to qualify for the quarterfinals of the Australian Open. Pegula won the match 7-6 6-3 at the Margaret Court Arena to book her last eight place. Pegula will face Ashleigh Barty in the quarterfinals of the tournament.
Barbora Krejcikova defeated Belarusian Victoria Azarenka as the World number 24 opted to play on in spite of an apparent neck injury. World number four Krejcikova won the match 6-2 6-2 to book her place in the quarterfinals of the tournament in Melbourne for the first time in her career.
America’s Madison Keys defeated World number eight Paula Badosa in what is arguably the biggest upset of the round so far. Keys had struggled since the pandemic and tested positive for COVID just before the Australian Open, denying her the optimal training she desired. It was a brilliant performance from her as she claimed a 6-3 6-1 win over one of the most in-form players on tour. She will now face World number four Barbora Krejcikova for a place in the semifinals.
