By Chris Oddo | Friday January 20, 2017
Rafael Nadal survived a tough three-setter with Alexander Zverev to reach the round of 16 at Melbourne.
Photo Source: Cameron Spencer/Getty
Down two sets to one against a zoning teenager, Rafael Nadal dug his heels in and battled.
And battled some more...
When it was all said and done Nadal got the win he needed, a 4-6, 6-3, 6-7(5), 6-3, 6-2 win over Alexander Zverev on Saturday in Melbourne. It took four hours and six minutes, and it took the legs from Zverev, who suffered cramps at the most inopportune moment in the decider. But to the 19-year-old German’s credit, he battled through despite clearly suffering, though he could not avoid dropping the last four games.
Nadal’s victory snaps a personal three-match losing streak in five-setters and lifts his career record in fifth sets to 18-8. He’ll face Gael Monfils in the round of 16. Monfils rolled past Philipp Kohlschreiber in straight sets.
After reaching at least the quarterfinals in eight straight appearances in Melbourne, Nadal was shocked out in the first round last year by Fernando Verdasco—he has not reached the quarterfinals at a major since the 2015 French Open.
Nadal finished with 43 winners against 34 unforced errors and improves to 2-0 over the rising German. He defeated Zverev at Indian Wells in a nailbiter last year, saving a match point in the process, and gave high praise to the World No.24 after the match.
“He’s the future of our sport, and the present too,” Nadal told the crowd while being interviewed by Jim Courier.
After being pushed to the sidelines by injuries in the second half of 2016, Nadal is also the present, and he’s very much in the hunt in Melbourne after his biggest win at a major in quite some time.
“Every match is so difficult,” he said. “Today was a big battle, I am very happy to be through. I enjoyed this great battle—I was losing last couple of times in the fifth set and I said to myself ‘Today is the day.’”
After falling behind two sets to one Nadal quickly jumped to a 3-0 lead in set four and never relinquished his break. He led 2-0 in the decider but Zverev rallied to level before beginning to struggle with cramps in the fifth game. He was clearly hampered and after he dropped a five-deuce game he refused to sit in his chair during the minute-long changeover.
Nadal held at love and then broke a valiant Zverev after six deuces in the next game for a double-break 5-2 lead.
Nadal would hold easily to close, clinching his 48th Australian Open victory and setting the table for more magic in the days to come.