(AP) — Rafael Nadal left the muttering and the preening, the underarm serving and the ’tweening, to his younger, flashier opponent, Nick Kyrgios.
Surely, Rafa was content to collect the win in the latest instalment of their rivalry.
The No. 1-ranked Rafa kept his thoughts to himself and limited his shot-making to the more traditional variety in an entertaining 6-3, 3-6, 7-6 (6), 7-6 (4) victory over home-crowd favorite Kyrgios on Monday to reach the Australian Open quarterfinals and get closer to a record-tying 20th Grand Slam title.
On Wednesday, the 33-year-old Rafa’s 41st career Grand Slam quarterfinal will be against No. 5 Dominic Thiem in a rematch of the past two French Open finals, both won by Rafa.
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 27: Rafael Nadal of Spain walks onto Rod Laver Arena ahead of his Men’s Singles fourth round match against Nick Kyrgios of Australia on day eight of the 2020 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 27, 2020 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 27: Rafael Nadal of Spain in action during his Men’s Singles fourth round match against Nick Kyrgios of Australia on day eight of the 2020 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 27, 2020 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Fred Lee/Getty Images)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 27: Rafael Nadal of Spain in action during his Men’s Singles fourth round match against Nick Kyrgios of Australia on day eight of the 2020 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 27, 2020 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Fred Lee/Getty Images)
MELBOURNE, VIC – JANUARY 27: Rafael Nadal of Spain returns the ball during the fourth round of the 2020 Australian Open on January 27 2020, at Melbourne Park in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Jason Heidrich/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 27: Rafael Nadal of Spain plays a backhand during his Men’s Singles fourth round match against Nick Kyrgios of Australia on day eight of the 2020 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 27, 2020 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 27: Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates after winning a point during his Men’s Singles fourth round match against Nick Kyrgios of Australia on day eight of the 2020 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 27, 2020 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
Spain’s Rafael Nadal reacts before serving against Australia’s Nick Kyrgios during their men’s singles match on day eight of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 27, 2020. (Photo by Saeed KHAN / AFP) / IMAGE RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE – STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE (Photo by SAEED KHAN/AFP via Getty Images)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 27: Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates after winning a point during his Men’s Singles fourth round match against Nick Kyrgios of Australia on day eight of the 2020 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 27, 2020 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 27: Rafael Nadal of Spain reacts during his Men’s Singles fourth round match against Nick Kyrgios of Australia on day eight of the 2020 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 27, 2020 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 27: Rafael Nadal of Spain reacts during his Men’s Singles fourth round match against Nick Kyrgios of Australia on day eight of the 2020 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 27, 2020 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 27: Rafael Nadal of Spain looks on during his Men’s Singles fourth round match against Nick Kyrgios of Australia on day eight of the 2020 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 27, 2020 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Jonathan DiMaggio/Getty Images)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 27: Nick Kyrgios of Australia (L) walks past Rafael Nadal of Spain during their Men’s Singles fourth round match on day eight of the 2020 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 27, 2020 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 27: Rafael Nadal of Spain plays a backhand during his Men’s Singles fourth round match against Nick Kyrgios of Australia on day eight of the 2020 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 27, 2020 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
MELBOURNE, VIC – JANUARY 27: Rafael Nadal of Spain returns the ball during the fourth round of the 2020 Australian Open on January 27 2020, at Melbourne Park in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Jason Heidrich/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 27: Rafael Nadal of Spain chases down the ball during his Men’s Singles fourth round match against Nick Kyrgios of Australia on day eight of the 2020 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 27, 2020 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 27: Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates after winning match point during his Men’s Singles fourth round match against Nick Kyrgios of Australia on day eight of the 2020 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 27, 2020 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 27: Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates victory in his fourth round match against Nick Kyrgios of Australia on day nine of the 2020 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 27, 2020 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by TPN/Getty Images)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 27: Rafael Nadal of Spain makes his way to be interviewed by John McEnroe on the court after his Men’s Singles fourth round match against Nick Kyrgios of Australia on day eight of the 2020 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 27, 2020 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Fred Lee/Getty Images)
Rafael Nadal TENNIS : Australian Open 2020 – 27/01/2020 AntoineCouvercelle/Panoramic PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxFRAxITAxBEL
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 27: Rafael Nadal of Spain wears a Lakers hat in memory of Kobe Bryant while being interviewed by John McEnroe after his fourth round match against Nick Kyrgios of Australia on day nine of the 2020 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 27, 2020 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by TPN/Getty Images)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 27: Rafael Nadal of Spain wears a Lakers hat in memory of Kobe Bryant while being interviewed by John McEnroe after his fourth round match against Nick Kyrgios of Australia on day nine of the 2020 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 27, 2020 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by TPN/Getty Images)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 27: Rafael Nadal of Spain signs autographs for fans after winning his Men’s Singles fourth round match against Nick Kyrgios of Australia on day eight of the 2020 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 27, 2020 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 27: Rafael Nadal of Spain speaks at his post match press conference on day eight of the 2020 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 27, 2020 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Jonathan DiMaggio/Getty Images)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 27: Rafael Nadal of Spain speaks at his post match press conference on day eight of the 2020 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 27, 2020 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Jonathan DiMaggio/Getty Images)
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 27: Rafael Nadal of Spain speaks at his post match press conference on day eight of the 2020 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 27, 2020 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Jonathan DiMaggio/Getty Images)
Rafa you nicely sent him packing. For once he did behave reasonanly well in your presence except for 1 demolished racquet throwing. Vamos Rafa always.
5th set! The heart of a champion.
On your way, in your own way, to your goal and to prove again the knowledge of how to handle both the opponent and your own nerves by patience and expertise!!! Stay your course!!! Vamos
Lucky you, Mimi. Enjoy.
Thank you Isabel🙏
I am not a Roger’s fan but it is painful to watch him play with some kind of injury. It reminded me of the 2014 final between Rafa and Wawrinka😢 Roger is still fighting! Let’s see……
Roger and Rafa – respect respect!!
Wow! What a warrior and very lucky too! Congratulations to Federer👏
But facing Djoker next with thighs and legs problem? I wonder if Djoker will get a walkover……
I was cheering for Milos last night but sadly he lost in straight sets. I think he is one of the nicest guys on tour, hope he stays healthy and wins some big titles soon!❤️
Well done Rafa ❤️
Congratulations Rafa👏 What a match! You did a good job against a tricky opponent👍
I got a great seat right in the middle behind the baseline, my husband told me he saw me while watching on TV at home. I have to admit I behaved badly at some moments supporting and cheering for Rafa lol
See you again tomorrow.🤗 Good luck against Dominic, all the best Rafa!❤️
AWESOME Mimi🏸🏸🏸🤗
Thank you Margo🙏
Will do the same against Dominic with a third row seat at tomorrow’s night session, okay, maybe not as crazy because Dominic is a good guy and player according to Rafa. Wish I have front row seat for Rafa’s night match but that ticket is for the day session……
Vamos Rafa💪❤️
Well done Rafa , you are our true champion who inspires us and delights us constantly . Bravo Rafa 🍀🌟