Australian Open : Nadal sees off Khachanov test to reach Australian Open fourth round

Rafael Nadal came through a testing match against Karen Khachanov of Russia to win 6-3, 6-2, 3-6, 6-1 and reach the fourth round of the Australian Open.

Khachanov may have ended up on the losing side but produced one of the shots of the tournament in the second set, as he recovered after slipping over during the rally.

Nadal will play Adrian Mannarino of France in the last 16.

'Best match since I returned' - Nadal injury under control as he reaches last 16

Reaction from Rafael Nadal after he has advanced to the fourth round of the Australian Open with a 6-3, 6-2, 3-6, 6-1 victory over No. 28-seeded Karen Khachanov.

Nadal, aiming for a men’s record 21st Grand Slam singles title, was facing his first seeded opponent and dropped his first set of the tournament.

The sixth-seeded Nadal struggled in the third set when the 6-foot-6 Russian broke to go up 3-1 before taking the set in 57 minutes on Rod Laver Arena.

But the 35-year-old Nadal quickly regained control in a dominant fourth set, twice breaking the Olympic silver medalist.

Nadal shares the men’s record of 20 singles titles with Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic.

Djokovic, a nine-time champion at Melbourne Park, couldn’t play after having his visa canceled for failing to meet Australia’s strict COVID-19 vaccination regulations. Federer is skipping the Australian Open while he continues his recovery from injury.

‘I month ago I was dreaming to be where I am today – Nadal on reaching last 16 of AO