Rafa Nadal does not seem so embarrassed by his back in Australia. – Andy Brownbill / AP / SIPA
Bothered by his back at the start of the tournament, Rafael Nadal joined the quarter-finals of the Australian Open without losing a set after his 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 victory over Fabio Fognini (17 e), Monday in Melbourne. Nadal will face the Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas (6th), who took advantage of Berretini’s package to join the quarters without getting tired.
The Spaniard was never really endangered by Fognini, even when the Italian widened the gap 4 games to 2 in the second set. He finally won in just over 2 hours 15 game . “It’s an important victory for my confidence, I’m happy that my back is better,” said “Rafa”.
For his fourth game on the Australian courts, he appeared overall comfortable in the game and did not appear to be bothered by his back sore during his first two laps. An infiltration suffered on Friday has since relieved him, he explained after his third round the following day.
