World No. 1 Rafael Nadal has made easy work of fellow Spaniard Pablo Carreno Busta, winning 6-1, 6-2, 6-4 to advance to the fourth round of the Australian Open.
“It was my best match of the tournament without a doubt,” said Rafa, who hit 42 winners and made just seven unforced errors.
“When the conditions are warmer the ball bounces higher and flies through the air. That helps my game.
“I did very well with my serves and started to hit some forehands down the line. That is key for me.”
The 19-time Grand Slam champion could face Australian Nick Kyrgios in the last 16.
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 25: Rafeal Nadal of Spain serves in his third round match against Pablo Busta Carreno of Spain on day six of the 2020 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 25, 2020 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Chaz Niell/Getty Images)
MELBOURNE, VIC – JANUARY 25: Rafael Nadal of Spain serves the ball during the third round of the 2020 Australian Open on January 25 2020, at Melbourne Park in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Jason Heidrich/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 25: Rafael Nadal of Spain plays a forehand during his Men’s Singles third round match against Pablo Carreno Busta of Spain on day six of the 2020 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 25, 2020 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 25: Rafael Nadal of Spain plays a forehand in his third round match against Pablo Carreno Busta on day six of the 2020 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 25, 2020 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by TPN/Getty Images)
Spain’s Rafael Nadal hits a return against Spain’s Pablo Carreno Busta during their men’s singles match on day six of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 25, 2020. (Photo by William WEST / AFP) / IMAGE RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE – STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE (Photo by WILLIAM WEST/AFP via Getty Images)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 25: Rafael Nadal of Spain plays a forehand during his Men’s Singles third round match against Pablo Carreno Busta of Spain on day six of the 2020 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 25, 2020 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 25: Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates after winning a point during his Men’s Singles third round match against Pablo Carreno Busta of Spain on day six of the 2020 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 25, 2020 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 25: Rafael Nadal of Spain in action during his Men’s Singles third round match against Pablo Carreno Busta of Spain on day six of the 2020 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 25, 2020 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Fred Lee/Getty Images)
Spain’s Rafael Nadal celebrates after beating Spain’s Pablo Carreno Busta during their men’s singles match on day six of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 25, 2020. (Photo by William WEST / AFP) / IMAGE RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE – STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE (Photo by WILLIAM WEST/AFP via Getty Images)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 25: Rafael Nadal of Spain prepares to serve in his third round match against Pablo Carreno Busta on day six of the 2020 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 25, 2020 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by TPN/Getty Images)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 25: Rafeal Nadal of Spain during a changeover in his third round match against Pablo Busta Carreno of Spain on day six of the 2020 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 25, 2020 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Chaz Niell/Getty Images)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 25: Rafeal Nadal of Spain during a changeover in his third round match against Pablo Busta Carreno of Spain on day six of the 2020 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 25, 2020 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Chaz Niell/Getty Images)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 25: Rafael Nadal of Spain looks on during his Men’s Singles third round match against Pablo Carreno Busta of Spain on day six of the 2020 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 25, 2020 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 25: Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates during his third round match against Pablo Carreno Busta on day six of the 2020 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 25, 2020 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by TPN/Getty Images)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 25: Rafael Nadal of Spain in action during his Men’s Singles third round match against Pablo Carreno Busta of Spain on day six of the 2020 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 25, 2020 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Fred Lee/Getty Images)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 25: Rafael Nadal of Spain sits down between games during his Men’s Singles third round match against Pablo Carreno Busta of Spain on day six of the 2020 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 25, 2020 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 25: Rafael Nadal of Spain prepares to serve during his Men’s Singles third round match against Pablo Carreno Busta of Spain on day six of the 2020 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 25, 2020 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 25: Rafael Nadal of Spain prepares to serve during his Men’s Singles third round match against Pablo Carreno Busta of Spain on day six of the 2020 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 25, 2020 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 25: Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates after winning his Men’s Singles third round match against Pablo Carreno Busta of Spain on day six of the 2020 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 25, 2020 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Fred Lee/Getty Images)
AUSTRALIAN OPEN DAY 6, Rafael Nadal of Spain rests during his third round match against Pablo Carreno Busta of Spain on day six of the Australian Open tennis tournament at Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne, Saturday, January 25, 2020. ACHTUNG: NUR REDAKTIONELLE NUTZUNG, KEINE ARCHIVIERUNG UND KEINE BUCHNUTZUNG MELBOURNE VIC AUSTRALIA PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xSCOTTxBARBOURx 20200125001444372574
AUSTRALIAN OPEN DAY 6, Rafael Nadal of Spain rests during his third round match against Pablo Carreno Busta of Spain on day six of the Australian Open tennis tournament at Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne, Saturday, January 25, 2020. ACHTUNG: NUR REDAKTIONELLE NUTZUNG, KEINE ARCHIVIERUNG UND KEINE BUCHNUTZUNG MELBOURNE VIC AUSTRALIA PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xSCOTTxBARBOURx 20200125001444372548
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 25: Rafeal Nadal of Spain during a changeover in his third round match against Pablo Busta Carreno of Spain on day six of the 2020 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 25, 2020 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Chaz Niell/Getty Images)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 25: Rafael Nadal of Spain sprays sweat as he serves in his third round match against Pablo Carreno Busta on day six of the 2020 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 25, 2020 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by TPN/Getty Images)
MELBOURNE, VIC – JANUARY 25: Rafael Nadal of Spain returns the ball during the third round of the 2020 Australian Open on January 25 2020, at Melbourne Park in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Jason Heidrich/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 25: Rafael Nadal of Spain plays a forehand in his third round match against Pablo Carreno Busta on day six of the 2020 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 25, 2020 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by TPN/Getty Images)
Spain’s Rafael Nadal (R) shakes hands with Spain’s Pablo Carreno Busta after their men’s singles match on day six of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 25, 2020. (Photo by William WEST / AFP) / IMAGE RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE – STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE (Photo by WILLIAM WEST/AFP via Getty Images)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 25: Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates his victory in the third round over Pablo Carreno Busta on day six of the 2020 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 25, 2020 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by TPN/Getty Images)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 25: Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates his victory in the third round over Pablo Carreno Busta on day six of the 2020 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 25, 2020 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by TPN/Getty Images)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 25: Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates his victory in the third round over Pablo Carreno Busta on day six of the 2020 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 25, 2020 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by TPN/Getty Images)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 25: : Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates after winning his Men’s Singles third round match against Pablo Carreno Busta of Spain on day six of the 2020 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 25, 2020 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Kelly Defina/Getty Images)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 25: Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates after winning his Men’s Singles third round match against Pablo Carreno Busta of Spain on day six of the 2020 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 25, 2020 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 25: Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates after winning his Men’s Singles third round match against Pablo Carreno Busta of Spain on day six of the 2020 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 25, 2020 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 25: Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates after winning his Men’s Singles third round match against Pablo Carreno Busta of Spain on day six of the 2020 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 25, 2020 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Fred Lee/Getty Images)
epa08161708 Rafael Nadal of Spain changes his shirt during his men’s singles third round match against Pablo Carreno Busta of Spain at the Australian Open Grand Slam tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, 25 January 2020. EPA-EFE/ROMAN PILIPEY
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 25: Rafael Nadal of Spain speaks with John McEnroe on court after winning his Men’s Singles third round match against Pablo Carreno Busta of Spain on day six of the 2020 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 25, 2020 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 25: Rafael Nadal of Spain speaks with John McEnroe on court after winning his Men’s Singles third round match against Pablo Carreno Busta of Spain on day six of the 2020 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 25, 2020 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 25: Rafael Nadal of Spain signs autographs for fans after winning his Men’s Singles third round match against Pablo Carreno Busta of Spain on day six of the 2020 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 25, 2020 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
It was a joy watching Rafa vs Pablo with a third row seat🤗 Congratulations for the victory Rafa👏 Good luck in round four🍀 just play your best tennis, Rafa! Vamos💪❤️
So happy to see Rafa at rod laver. Tv cameras dont do him justice. He is such a fine athlete. 😍😍😍😍Rafa played so good today. What a treat.watched kyrgios live as well after Rafa’s match. Aussie crowd is just bonkers. Hats off to Karen khachanov who played so good under pressure and in front of that crazy crowd. They will support kyrgios but our Rafa knows how to deal with such situations. The positive out of this match was that NK was half dead after the match, lots of positive energy on your way Rafa. Best of luck and vamos 💪💪💪💪
Best If Luck & Vamos RAFA!
Give Nick a lesson in next round as he deserves it… Congratulations Rafa on a clean match
Unforced errors count less than aces today
Mind boggling
Great match. Keep it up. Vamos Rafa.
ENHORABUENA!!! solo siento que es un español eliminado, por tu parte como siempre Rafa perfecto, VAMOS