Rafael Nadal’s hopes of winning a second Australian Open title remain intact after he defeated Diego Schwartzman in four sets (6-3, 6-7(4), 6-3, 6-3) at the Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne.
After the match, Rafa said:
It was a great battle. He is a good friend of mine.
He is a great player, in all aspects, and I feel that for a lot of moments he was serving well.
I was able to keep fighting until the end and it is the first big match I have played in 2018. It probably helps my confidence, knowing I can resist almost four hours on court.
With today’s win Rafa will stay No. 1 after the tournament ends, regardless of what Roger Federer does.
It will be his 33rd overall major quarterfinal when he faces Marin Cilic next.
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Perspiration drips from Spain’s Rafael Nadal during their men’s singles fourth round match against Argentina’s Diego Schwartzman on day seven of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 21, 2018. / AFP PHOTO / SAEED KHAN / — IMAGE RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE – STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE — (Photo credit should read SAEED KHAN/AFP/Getty Images)
Melbourne (Australia), 21/01/2018.- Rafael Nadal of Spain in action during his fourth round match against Diego Schwartzman of Argentina at the Australian Open Grand Slam tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, 21 January 2018. (España, Abierto, Tenis) EFE/EPA/MAST IRHAM
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Spain’s Rafael Nadal gestures during their men’s singles fourth round match against Argentina’s Diego Schwartzman on day seven of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 21, 2018. / AFP PHOTO / SAEED KHAN / — IMAGE RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE – STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE — (Photo credit should read SAEED KHAN/AFP/Getty Images)
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Spain’s Rafael Nadal reacts after a point against Argentina’s Diego Schwartzman during their men’s singles fourth round match on day seven of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 21, 2018. / AFP PHOTO / SAEED KHAN / — IMAGE RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE – STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE — (Photo credit should read SAEED KHAN/AFP/Getty Images)
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Spain’s Rafael Nadal is seen during their men’s singles fourth round match against Argentina’s Diego Schwartzman on day seven of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 21, 2018. / AFP PHOTO / SAEED KHAN / — IMAGE RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE – STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE — (Photo credit should read SAEED KHAN/AFP/Getty Images)
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Spain’s Rafael Nadal uses a towel during their men’s singles fourth round match against Argentina’s Diego Schwartzman on day seven of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 21, 2018. / AFP PHOTO / SAEED KHAN / — IMAGE RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE – STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE — (Photo credit should read SAEED KHAN/AFP/Getty Images)
Spain’s Rafael Nadal reacts during their men’s singles fourth round match against Argentina’s Diego Schwartzman on day seven of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 21, 2018. / AFP PHOTO / SAEED KHAN / — IMAGE RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE – STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE — (Photo credit should read SAEED KHAN/AFP/Getty Images)
Melbourne (Australia), 21/01/2018.- Rafael Nadal of Spain looks on during a break in his fourth round match against Diego Schwartzman of Argentina at the Australian Open Grand Slam tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, 21 January 2018. (España, Abierto, Tenis) EFE/EPA/MARK CRISTINO
Spain’s Rafael Nadal uses a towel during their men’s singles fourth round match against Argentina’s Diego Schwartzman on day seven of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 21, 2018. / AFP PHOTO / WILLIAM WEST / — IMAGE RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE – STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE — (Photo credit should read WILLIAM WEST/AFP/Getty Images)
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MLB. Melbourne (Australia), 21/01/2018.- Rafael Nadal of Spain in action against Diego Schwartzman of Argentina during their fourth round match on day seven of the Australian Open tennis tournament, in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 21 January 2018. (España, Abierto, Tenis) EFE/EPA/SAM MOOY AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND OUT
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Spain’s Rafael Nadal (L) gestures to Argentina’s Diego Schwartzman after their men’s singles fourth round match on day seven of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 21, 2018. / AFP PHOTO / SAEED KHAN / — IMAGE RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE – STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE — (Photo credit should read SAEED KHAN/AFP/Getty Images)
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Spain’s Rafael Nadal celebrates after their men’s singles fourth round match against Argentina’s Diego Schwartzman on day seven of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 21, 2018. / AFP PHOTO / SAEED KHAN / — IMAGE RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE – STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE — (Photo credit should read SAEED KHAN/AFP/Getty Images)
Spain’s Rafael Nadal celebrates victory against Argentina’s Diego Schwartzman during their men’s singles fourth round match on day seven of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 21, 2018. / AFP PHOTO / SAEED KHAN / — IMAGE RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE – STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE — (Photo credit should read SAEED KHAN/AFP/Getty Images)
Rafa do rest up today for your next match.
All the best for your game against Cilic,
Love and prayers,
AlaineXXSydneyXXAustraliaXX
Dear Rafa…more body serves & net play upcoming Cilic match. Rooting for u in Fl 🌴🎾.
mdl
What a hard-fought battle! Rafa, you showed the world again what a fighter, and a champion you are! Proud of Diego too. What a fighter, and a “pocket rocket” (as someone described him)!
Rest well, and best of luck with the next match!
Great much by both players. Rafa congratulations vamossssssssssssssssss you need to rest for the next much. Love your fans 🎾🎾🎾👍👍👍🇺🇸❤️🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆
Rafa great match ,you played well congratulation , stay aggressive
WAY TO GO RAFA❣️🎾💪🏼😘
Keep it on. – The best of luck in the next round sweet champ #1 VAMOS! 🥇💖🍀🤗
I am so happy for you sweetie. Vamos 🙂 <3 <3 🙂
I was really worried for his knees . He looked so happy(and handsome) when it was over.Added bonus is that he’ll keep his ranking. Yay!!!
Vamos Rafa!
Bravo Rafa!
Bravo-Schwartzman is a dogged competitor. Rest up for Cilic. Way to fight😜👍
CAMPEON!!!!!. EsteI partido t ayudarà para los proximos tuyos…ha sifo partido d gran nivel….VAMOS!!!!!!
Great match by both players. Take rest and than Good luck for the next round. Vamos Rafa <3