Latest update March 20th, 2025 5:10 AM
Latest News
- Guyana’s oil growth boosting regional economies– CDB Director of Economics
- Suspected outbreak of Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease in Region Four
- Israel launches first ground offensive since Gaza ceasefire collapse
- Sod turned for $665M expansion of St. Stanislaus College
- Pensioner jailed for raping child
Dominant Nadal leads race into second week in Melbourne
MELBOURNE (Reuters) – Rafa Nadal beamed with delight after laying down an emphatic marker with a brilliant display of all-court tennis to charge into the last 16 of the Australian Open on Saturday.
Rafael Nadal celebrates winning his third round match against Gael Monfils. Cameron Spencer Getty Images
The Melbourne heatwave may have broken but arch-competitor Nadal was still bathed in sweat after his two-hour 6-1 6-2 6-3 demolition of the talented but error-prone Gael Monfils.
Roger Federer earlier boasted of his fitness, Maria Sharapova felt a bit rusty and Andy Murray berated himself but all three eased into the second week.
Victoria Azarenka remained on course for her third straight title but may find the next hurdle trickier after setting up a fourth round tie against Sloane Stephens, who she beat amid controversy in last year’s semi-finals.
While there was relief all round at the cooler temperatures after four days of stifling heat, Milos Raonic and Caroline Wozniacki both felt the stinging burn of an upset.
Nadal never looked in any danger of an early departure, barring a brief injury scare when he jarred his foot early in the second set. Such was his dominance after he suppressed the Frenchman’s early charge, the Spaniard was at a loss to pick out an element of his game that pleased him most.
The top seed will play Kei Nishikori for a place in the quarter-finals after the Japanese ended American interest in the men’s draw with a 7-5 6-1 6-0 win over Donald Young.
Federer looked at his own imperious best as he dismantled Teymuraz Gabashvili 6-2 6-2 6-3 to reach the fourth round at a grand slam without giving up a set for the 27th time.
The Swiss is aware that tougher tests lie ahead, starting with Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the next round, but was delighted to have rid himself of his back problem.
Murray’s back problems are more recent and he admitted to feeling a bit of stiffness as he finds his feet again following surgery and four months on the sidelines.
Spaniard Feliciano Lopez gave him a big test in the first set tiebreak but faded after conceding the second and the fourth seed claimed his 14th straight victory over a left-handed opponent 7-6 (7-2) 6-4 6-2.
Murray next meets Stephane Robert, who prevailed 6-0 7-6 (7-2) 6-4 over fellow lucky loser Martin Klizan – the first time a late replacement has reached the last 16 in Melbourne.
Azarenka humbled Yvonne Meusburger 6-1 6-0 in exactly an hour to set up another meeting with American Stephens, who she beat last year after taking a medical timeout as she struggled to close out their semi-final.
Sharapova continued to don her distinctive ice jacket at end changes despite the cooler weather as she beat France’s Alize Cornet 6-1 7-6 (7-6).
Russia’s Maria Sharapova gestures as she celebrates after victory in her women’s singles match against France’s Alize Cornet on day six of the 2014 Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 18, 2014. Greg Wood, AFP/Getty Images
On the comeback trail after a shoulder problems cut short her 2013 season, the third seed accepted that she had won without playing her best tennis.
Her boyfriend Grigor Dimitrov took a small step out of her shadow when he reached the fourth round of a grand slam for the first time by edging 11th seed Raonic 6-3 3-6 6-4 7-6 (12-10).
The Bulgarian prevailed after an 156-minute Margaret Court Arena thriller rounded off by the tensest of tiebreaks which he clinched on his fifth match point.
The 22-year-old has clearly tired of the nickname “Baby Fed”, bestowed upon him because of the similarity of his free-flowing style to that of Federer.
Wozniacki was left ruing her failure to convert more than five of her 16 break points in her 4-6 7-5 6-3 defeat at the hands of rising Spanish talent Garbine Muguruza.
Similar Articles
THE BLUNT OF THE DAY
Sports
Features/Columnists
No immigrant should feel safe in America today
Peeping Tom… Kaieteur News- There was a time when an illegal immigrant in America could live in the shadows with some... more
If Guyana’s President Ali is the “Zelensky of the Caribbean”, who is the Putin?
Antigua and Barbuda’s Ambassador to the US and the OAS, Ronald Sanders By Sir Ronald Sanders Kaieteur News- In the latest... more
Weekend Cartoon
