Rafael Nadal drops set but battles past Diego Schwartzman to reach quarter-finals

The Spaniard dug out a 6-3 6-7(4) 6-3 6-3 victory – but it was a display that eroded any aura of invincibility as he limped into the quarter-finals.

The world number one is rarely upstaged from the baseline, but his groundstrokes were tame compared to the artillery on the other side of the net.

In an often breathtaking clash boasting some sumptuous shot-making, the Spaniard was stunned by the hard-hitting Schwartzman who broke him three times before claiming the second set at Rod Laver Arena.

Indeed, Schwartzman could – and probably should – have broken early in the third and fourth sets, but he fluffed a flurry of opportunities as Nadal weathered the assault.

The 16-times grand slam champion responded with typical grit, raising his defensive game to blanket the 24th seed's firepower and claiming the win on the third match point with a rocketed backhand return down the line.

Nadal’s experience ultimately told as he booked a last-eight duel with Marin Cilic.

“I was able to keep fighting until the end, it was the first big match that I played in 2018,” Nadal said.

“I started later than usually (knee soreness pre-season), one match like this probably helps because that’s confidence for myself, knowing that I can resist almost four hours on the court, playing at the good intensity, so quarterfinals already, that’s great news, I’m very happy for that.”