Tennis: Pumped-up Nadal into Melbourne quarters but Zverev sent packing

MELBOURNE (AFP) - Rafael Nadal survived a marathon first-set tiebreak to seal his spot in the quarter-finals of the Australian Open on Sunday (Jan 23) and will face Denis Shapovalov after the Canadian stunned Alexander Zverev.

A pumped-up Nadal, who is chasing a men's record 21st Grand Slam title, was pushed all the way by Adrian Mannarino in the first set before breaking the Frenchman's resolve in a 7-6 (16-14), 6-2, 6-2 victory in searing heat.

"First set was very emotional," said the 35-year-old Nadal, the 2009 Australian Open champion, who pumped his fists after emerging victorious an epic 28-minute tiebreak on a steamy day in Melbourne.

"That crazy first set was so important."

The Spaniard, who dropped a set for the first time in the tournament before powering past Russia's Karen Khachanov in the previous round, will now face Canadian 14th seed Shapovalov in the last eight.

Shapovalov left Olympic champion and third seed Zverev still searching for a first major title after beating him 6-3, 7-6 (7-5), 6-3.

"It's always an honour to play someone like Rafa," said the 22-year-old Shapovalov.

"Always fun, always going to be battle, it's going to be tough."

Zverev, the 2020 US Open runner-up, never looked at ease against Shapovalov and vented his frustrations when he smashed his racket in anger after a service break.

Asked what went wrong by reporters, the German launched into a brutal self-assessment.

“Everything,” Zverev said. “Maybe since Wimbledon, one of the worst matches I have played. It’s just tough.

“I give credit to Denis. It’s incredible he’s in the quarters. I think he deserves it.

“But today, in my opinion, was just awful from my side.

“It’s no one else’s fault. It’s purely me. At the end of the day, as the world No. 3, I have to take responsibilities for the things I do and don’t do.”