Australian Open 2022 LIVE updates: Barty to take on Amanda Anisimova in fourth round; Nadal makes fo

Rafael Nadal needed four sets to do it but he has earned his place in the fourth round of the Australian Open.

The 20-time grand slam winner dominated three of the four sets and took little time to handle business in the final set scoring a 6-3, 6-2, 3-6, 6-1 win over Russia’s Karen Khachanov on Rod Laver Arena.

Nadal has the break in the fourth set and sending down a thundering down-the-line winner and screaming into the ground.

The veteran superstar was not happy about dropping that last set and clearly wants to give Khachanov no further opportunities to stay in the match.

Karen Khachanov is not ready for his Australian Open to be over as he has fought back from two sets down to win the third set 6-3.

The Russian attacked Nadal and managed to break the Spanish legend’s serve, now the test will be whether Nadal is fit and strong enough after injury to power through and win in four sets.

Khachanov has made this third set his own so far and he only needs to break Nadal this game and he will win the set, otherwise he will need to do it with his booming serve next game.

There might be life in this match yet as Karen Khachanov breaks Rafael Nadal in the third set to take a 3-1 lead.

He is down two sets to love but is trying his all to mount a comeback. This is a good start.

Rafael Nadal has cruised through the first two sets in a little under 80 minutes taking a 6-3, 6-2 lead over Karen Khachanov who now has a huge mountain to climb to have any chance to stay in this match.

Rafael Nadal has a 6-3, 5-2 lead in the second set over Karen Khachanov and is serving for a 2-0 lead.

The Russian served to stay in the set and he has played longer games this set which has pushed out to the game time past 100 minutes but Nadal has still taken the breaks where he can and controlled the bulk of the rallies.

Rafael Nadal continues to build on his lead although Kharchanov is trying all he can to disrupt the inevitable.

Nadal leads 6-3, 3-1 and is serving in the second set.

Nadal wasted no time in asserting himself on the second set breaking Khachanov in the first game.

The Russian just has no answers for the quality of Nadal’s returns and his variety of shots, the Spanish great is in a very rich vein of form for someone who had health and injury concerns in the months leading up to this tournament.

So far, he has responded to everything thrown at him.

Rafael Nadal needed just 28 minutes to take the first set 6-3 over Karen Khachanov.

The Russian needs to find a way back into this contest as Nadal is in complete control of this contest and dictating play at both ends.

Source: | This article originally belongs to smh.com.au

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