Australian Open: Nadal, Medvedev, Barty Reach Q’finals

Australian Open: Nadal, Medvedev,  Barty Reach Q’finals

Former champion Rafael Nadal and fourth seed Daniil Medvedev both cruised into the Australian Open quarter-finals.

Spaniard Nadal, the 2009 winner and number two seed, gained a routine 6-3 6-4 6-2 win over Italy’s 16th seed Fabio Fognini at Melbourne Park.

Nadal will face Stefanos Tsitsipas in the last eight on Wednesday.

The Greek fifth seed was handed a walkover win in round four after Matteo Berrettini of Italy had to withdraw because of an abdominal injury.

Tsitsipas had been due to play ninth seed Berrettini in the final game on Rod Laver Arena on Monday.

“I have had a problem with my abs and I spoke to the doctors and they told me it could just get worse,” said Berrettini, 24.

“I’m not 100% and me and my team decided it was not worth the risk to play.”

Nadal’s victory means he has reached a Grand Slam quarter-final for the 43rd time, going on to win 20 titles, although his only success in Melbourne was 12 years ago over Roger Federer.

He came into this tournament with a back injury, having withdrawn from the ATP Cup earlier this month, but has not dropped a set in his four matches.

In the women’s singles, World number one Ashleigh Barty only needed 71 minutes to defeat American Shelby Rogers and move into the quarter-finals.

Barty, who is aiming to become the first Australian to win the women’s singles since 1978, triumphed 6-3 6-4.

American Jessica Pegula produced a shock 6-3 3-6 6-3 win to knock out fifth seed Elina Svitolina.

The world number 61’s win on Rod Laver Arena took her into the last eight of a Grand Slam for the first time.

The 26-year-old will face fellow American Jennifer Brady, who beat Croatia’s Donna Vekic 6-1 7-5.

“I feel good, everything feels pretty solid, so I’m just going take that to the next match,” said Pegula.

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