By Chris Oddo | Friday January 19, 2018
Rafael Nadal eased past Damir Dzumhur without complication to book his spot in the round of 16 at Melbourne.
Photo Source: Mark Peterson/Corlev
Nine up, nine down.
Rafael Nadal rolled into the round of 16 at the Australian Open for the 11th time on Friday night at the Australian Open, crusing past Damir Dzumhur of Bosnia and Herzegovina, 6-1, 6-3, 6-1.
He has yet to drop a set in Melbourne, losing only 21 games in three matches.
"Here I am. I am in the fourth round," He said. "That's because I am doing the right things. Let's see how far I can go."
Nadal got out of the gates fast and really never slowed against the 25-year-old World No.30. He converted his third match point with an ace out wide, finishing an effort that saw him hit 28 winners against 23 for Dzumhur.
Nadal won 24 of 35 second-serve return points and broke serve seven times on 16 opportunities.
The Spaniard avenged a loss against Dzumhur in 2016, when he was forced to retire due to illness after falling behind 3-0 in the third set.
The Spaniard will continue his quest for a 17th major on Sunday in Melbourne when he faces Argentina’s Diego Schwartzman.