MELBOURNE (Australia): World number two Rafael Nadal raised spectre of a record 21st Grand Slam title with victory over Cameron Norrie at the Australian Open Saturday.
Nadal pressed much harder before emerging a 7-5, 6-2, 7-5 against Britain’s 69th-ranked Norrie.
It put him into a Slam last 16 for the 49th time, behind only Roger Federer (67) and Novak Djokovic (53).
The Spanish second seed has altered his service motion due to lower-back tightness that has plagued him all tournament, although it didn’t stop him emphatically demolishing his first two opponents in straight sets.
“Today is better. First day I feel an improvement, and that’s the most important thing for me today, more than any other thing,” Nadal said of his back.
“Today is the first day that I started to serve again my normal serve. It was an important victory for me. The biggest victory is the back is better for the first day.”
Nadal next faces fiery Italian Fabio Fognini, who beat Australian Alex de Minaur in straight sets.
The Spaniard is bidding to win his 21st major title and claim sole ownership of the men’s record, which he currently shares with Federer.
