Australian Open: Nadal awesome as title contenders march on

Federer, Murray, Azarenka hit top gear to sail through to last-16.

MELBOURNE:

Rafael Nadal put on an awesome performance to reach the Australian Open last-16 on Saturday and Roger Federer and Andy Murray also hit top gear as the title race began to narrow.

Nadal stormed past France’s Gael Monfils 6-1, 6-2, 6-3 to underline his challenge to Novak Djokovic’s three-year Melbourne reign.

Federer was typically fluent in his 6-2, 6-2, 6-3 win against Teymuraz Gabashvili and Murray, continuing his strong recovery from back surgery, was a convincing winner over Feliciano Lopez.

Federer said his grand slam struggles last year were past him as he dismantled Russia’s Gabashvili, the world number 79.

“I feel that I’m back to normal again and at least I feel I’ve done the work to catch up and haven’t had any setbacks, so it’s very positive,” he said.

Murray gave a brief scare when he clutched his back in the first set but he moved unhindered thereafter to win 7-6 (7/2), 6-4, 6-2 and move into the round of 16 without dropping a set.



In the evening session, Nadal was superior in all departments to the entertaining but inconsistent Monfils, winning in just over two hours. Nadal will next face Japanese number one Kei Nishikori.

“No one is unstoppable,” said Nadal. “I think I played a great match. I’m very happy with the way that I played against a very tough opponent like Gael.”

Azarenka on fire as Sharapova made to work

Victoria Azarenka romped into the last-16 as Maria Sharapova endured a testing workout.

Defending champion Azarenka set up a rematch with Sloane Stephens after dropping just one game against hapless Austrian Yvonne Meusburger in a 6-1, 6-0 rout.



Azarenka is yet to drop a set and is building up a head of steam as the tournament progresses, unlike Sharapova who struggled again.

The Russian third seed’s killer instinct deserted her in the second set when she failed to serve out for victory, with France’s Alize Cornet forcing a tiebreak before going down 6-1, 7-6 (8/6).

Sharapova, who now plays Dominika Cibulkova for a place in the quarter-finals, admitted she must improve to stay in the tournament.

“There are definitely things I’m going to have to improve, because it only is going to get tougher,” she said.

Aisam continues doubles’ progress

Aisamul Haq Qureshi enjoyed a thrilling day on Saturday as the Pakistan tennis ace won his doubles match with India’s Rohan Bopanna and mixed doubles match with Germany’s Julia Goerges.

Aisam and Bopanna cruised into the third round as they overcame Britain’s Colin Fleming and Ross Hutchins 4-6, 6-3, 6-2.

Meanwhile, Aisam, who also has a new mixed doubles partner this year, began his campaign in the event with Goerges. The duo defeated Australia’s Thanas Kokkinakis and Croatia’s Donna Vekic 6-3, 6-4 in an hour to progress into the second round.

Last year Aisam participated in the mixed doubles event with Zimbabwe’s Cara Black.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 19^th, 2014.

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