Rafael Nadal edged out Alexander Zverev 4-6 6-3 6-7(5) 6-3 6-2 to reach the fourth round of the Australian Open.
Both men started off quite tense, however it was the big German who started off the brightest by breaking Nadal in the first game with a stunning drop shot to take a 1-0 lead. Nadal once again felt the pressure of the Zverev return, leaving short balls punished, despite this he held on and got on the scoreboard but still trailed 2-1. Zverev kept on serving comfortably using a high percentage of 1st service points won to dictate the Spaniard, who was left frustrated. As a result Zverev used his variety of shotmaking to edge out a tight set 6-4. Could Nadal use different tactics to find his way past the German in the second set?
The second set saw Nadal start lightning fast with two love holds in a row. Both men reaching their peak performance on a fast Rod Laver Arena, which was entertaining for everyone in the crowd. Then in the fourth game the breakthrough, unforced errors from Zverev allowed the Spaniard to break to 15 for a 3-1 lead. A possible momentum swing? Nadal would like to gain more momentum and end the set early at 5-2, however a valiant Zverev would make Nadal serve for the set. The 14 time grand slam champions sealed the set to love to level the match at 1 set all.
The third set saw Nadal continue the pressure on the Zverev serve and having several break points in a long-winded third game. The German held in a massive game for a 2-1 lead. Despite Nadal’s comfortable serves and spinning forehands he was getting frustrated at Zverev’s gritty serving. Both men playing very good tennis, with some insane shot making from both players, especially Nadal. Both players held serve comfortably, as a result the third set went to a tiebreak. Mini breaks were shared in the early exchanges. A missed double backhand volley saw Nadal take a 3-2 lead, only to be denied by Zverev’s big forehands. In a very even tiebreak, the young teenager took the initiative and used his powerful backhand to hit through Nadal, as a result he took the tiebreak 7-5 and went 2 sets to 1.
The fourth set saw Nadal get off to a lightning start, just like the second set, he won the first seven points and eventually broke for a 2-0 lead. As Zverev was getting more and more tired, the ninth seed from Mallorca was gaining in confidence and holding with ease. Nadal survived in the sixth game with amazing forehands and overheads for a 5-2 lead. The Spaniard completed the set 6-3 with an ace to put this match into a deciding set.
Fifth set would see Nadal’s momentum continue as he used the sliced backhand to break down the forehand of his opponent and break to 15 to lead 1-0. However the teenager would not to be deterred and a missed Nadal forehand resulted in a break for the German and 2-2 in the final set. However a long, enduring and physical battle saw Zverev cramping and Nadal using the slice to once again break the 24th seed for a 3-2 lead. Nadal preyed on a vulnerable and weak Zverv and as a result he won the next three games to win this physical match in 4 hours and 6 minutes.
Rafael Nadal and Alexander Zverev put on a spectacle and will be a contender for match of the season so far. Nadal will play either Gael Monfils or Phillip Kohlschreiber in the 4th round.
