Nadal and Federer shine in Rod Laver double-feature

MELBOURNE: A mouthwatering grand slam showdown between Rafa Nadal and Roger Federer moved a step closer to reality when the in-form arch-rivals breezed into the Australian Open's last 16 on Friday, as Caroline Wozniacki held on to her world number one ranking.

With Novak Djokovic's sensational 2011 smashing tennis's long-standing duopoly, Nadal and Federer find themselves on the same side of the draw at a major for the first time since 2005 and on collision course for a semi-final at Melbourne Park.

With the prime-time evening slot handed to 38th-ranked local teenager Bernard Tomic, the Spaniard and the Swiss headlined in a Rod Laver Arena double-feature, with Nadal raising the curtain with a 6-2 6-4 6-2 to boot Slovakian Lukas Lacko off stage.

Nadal, the 2009 champion, came to Melbourne saddled with doubts about his form, fitness and motivation, but has not lost a set this tournament and never appeared in danger against his 119th-ranked opponent under overcast skies on centre court.

Hustling to chase down every point, it took a low-flying bird swooping across the court to stall the Mallorcan's charge momentarily before he went on to close out the match with a dominant service game.

In Image: Spain's Rafael Nadal celebrates after winning his third round match against Slovakia's Lukas Lacko

Text: Reuters

Images: AP