Australian Open: Rafael Nadal eases into quarterfinals, remains on course for record-breaking grand slam

“I played a good game when he broke me and was lucky to have the break back immediately and save a game from love-40 so I was a bit lucky,” Nadal told the media afterward.

“It was humid and warm but the conditions are quicker during the day and for me it’s better to play in the day as I like the ball flying but I need to adapt for all the conditions.

“I’m happy the back is holding up but [Tuesday] will be an important day for practice,” he added, referencing the back injury that forced him to withdraw from the warmup event prior to the beginning of the Australian Open.

Despite entering the tournament with injury concerns overshadowing his prospects in Melbourne, the Spaniard looks to be peaking at just the right time.

Having been blitzed by Nadal’s fast start, Fognini battled back after falling into a one-set deficit and had three opportunities to carve out a 5-3 lead in the second set.

But Nadal, showing his pedigree and resolve, halted the Italian’s progress, eventually winning four straight games to clinch the second set.

In wrapping up the third set with relatively few struggles, the 34-year-old set up a clash with Stefanos Tsitsipas, who received a free passage through his fourth-round match after opponent Matteo Berrettini withdrew with an abdominal strain.

Nadal is now three victories away from winning his 21st grand slam, bettering the men’s record he currently shares with Roger Federer.