Australian Open 2020: Rafa Nadal eases into possible clash with Nick Kyrgios

Rafa Nadal in action at the Australian Open. Credit: Image - Reuters, video - Sky Sport

World No.1 Rafael Nadal has demolished fellow Spaniard Pablo Carreno Busta to win through to the fourth round of the Australian Open.

Nadal's 6-1 6-2 6-4 procession in less than two hours sets up a potential last-16 blockbuster with Aussie Nick Kyrgios on Monday.

The Australian world No.26 faces Karen Khachanov in his third-round match later on Saturday night.

Nadal didn't even face a break point, as he wiped Carreno Busta off Rod Laver Arena.

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"My best match of the tournament so far, without a doubt," Nadal said. "It's true that when the conditions are a little bit warmer that helps a little bit.

"I did very well with my serve and started to hit some forehands."

Earlier, French 10th seed Gael Monfils defeated Latvian qualifier Ernests Gulbis 7-6 (7-2) 6-4 6-3.

Meanwhile, former finalist and reigning Wimbledon champion Simona Halep has charged into the second week of the Australian Open with a straight-sets win.

Halep took just over an hour to down unseeded Kazakh Yulia Putintseva 6-1 6-4 in Saturday's third-round match on Rod Laver Arena.

The Romanian fourth seed will meet 16th seed Elise Mertens, who dispatched American Catherine Bellis 6-1 6-7(5) 6-0, in the last 16 on Monday.

 

AAP

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