Rafael Nadal sees off injured Adrian Mannarino after epic first set tie-break to reach Australian Open quarter-finals

ByJames Kilpatrick

Updated 23/01/2022 at 10:39 GMT

Rafael Nadal saved four set points in an epic first set tie-break that will be remembered for years to come. Nadal saved points at 7-8, 11-12, 12-13 and 13-14 before going on to take the 28-minute tie-break 16-14. Mannarino, who was carrying an injury, was brushed aside afterwards as Nadal powered through in three sets. Stream the 2022 Australian Open live and on demand on discovery+.

Rafael Nadal is into the Australian Open quarter-finals for the 14th time in his career after beating Adrian Mannarino 7-6(14) 6-2 6-2.

Nadal was able to overcome Mannarino in an epic tie-break during a 81-minute first set, saving four set points to take it 16-14 which sparked wild celebrations from the Spaniard and the boisterous crowd inside Rod Laver Arena.

The 35-year-old will play Denis Shapovalov in the quarter-finals after he beat Alexander Zverev in straight sets.

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"The first set was very emotional," Nadal said on court after beating Mannarino.

"Anything could have happened. I got a little bit lucky in the end. I had my chances but then he had lots of chances too. Everybody knows how mental this game is. After that crazy first set the break at the beginning of the second was so important.

"He had been playing some fantastic tennis throughout the whole tournament, winning against amazing players like Aslan Karatsev and Hurbert Hurkacz. Today the first set was super difficult.

"His ball was difficult to control - very flat and fast - and I'm very happy that I survived that first set without a doubt."

• 'Everything was crazy!' - Nadal reacts to 'unforgettable' 28-minute tie-break

'First set was very emotional' - Nadal reflects on epic tie-break

Mannarino, who played a four hour and 39 minute epic against Russia's Aslan Karatsev in the third round, caused Nadal lots of problems with his serve, but he struggled physically after the mammoth opener and Nadal was able to race through the remaining two sets.

The Frenchman, who was moving gingerly around the court, was broken in the first and fifth games of the second set before calling on the medic at 5-2 down. He carried on but Nadal served out the set with ease to take a two set lead after two hours of action.

There were three breaks of serve shared between Mannarino and Nadal in the opening games of the third set. It was the 2009 Australian Open champion who took the break advantage, though, by converting his sixth break point.

Mannarino was having a lot of bad luck with the net cord and Nadal broke again to go 4-1 up before easily winning his remaining two service games against his tiring opponent.

'Everything was crazy!' - Nadal reacts to 'unforgettable' 28-minute tie-break

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