Australian Open 2020 news - Rafael Nadal reigns supreme in blockbuster against Nick Kyrgios

The world number one had not dropped a set coming into the grudge match against Kyrgios but the Australian firebrand had won two of their last three matches on hardcourts. However, it was Nadal who emerged victorious, despite a couple of surges in momentum from Kyrgios that roused the Rod Laver Arena, and the 19-time Grand Slam champion will face Dominic Thiem for a spot in the last four.

"It was a very tough match, it seemed like I had control at the start but against Nick you are never in control," said Nadal, who hit 64 winners to Kyrgios' 50.

"When Nick is playing like today with his positive attitude, he gives a lot of positive things to our sport. So I encourage him to keep working like this..

As he emerged on court for the fourth-round match, an emotional Kyrgios paid tribute to Kobe Bryant, who died on Sunday in a helicopter accident, wearing the basketball legend’s shirt as he warmed up.

The 24-year-old, coming into the match on the back of a four-and-a-half-hour third-round win against Karen Khachanov, made a subdued start, one that Nadal punished to take the first set, converting one of the two break points on offer.

However, a visibly tired Kyrgios fought valiantly against the top seed's onslaught to haul himself back into the match at one set apiece and, having matched Nadal in the third set before losing a tight tiebreak, Kyrgios looked like he was on the cusp of sending the contest to a deciding fifth set when he once again wrested momentum from Nadal, breaking back as the Spaniard served for the match.

Yet, having served up a costly double fault in the third-set breaker, the 23-year-old was again left wanting, this time an ill-judged drop shot proved crucial as Nadal again won the breaker to seal the match.

Nadal will now contest a 12th Australian Open quarter-final as he continues his quest for a recording-equalling 20th Grand Slam title.