Defending champion Rafa Nadal dug himself out of a mid-match slump to defeat Germany's Philipp Kohlschreiber 6-4, 6-2, 2-6, 7-5 and advance to the fourth round of the Australian Open on Friday.
Nadal, who had not dropped a set in his first two matches at Melbourne Park, hit a brick wall after wrapping up the first two sets, as the German threw caution to the wind to play his shots and clinch the third.
The tactic worked well until 5-5 in the fourth, however, when an unforced error handed Nadal the break and allowed the Spaniard to coolly serve out and seal the match with a sweetly-struck winner.
Nadal next faces Croatian Ivo Karlovic who beat compatriot Ivan Ljubicic 6-3, 3-6, 6-3, 7-6.
In Image: Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates winning match point in his third round match against Philipp Kohlschreiber of Germany
Text: Reuters
Images: Getty
|
Formula 1 |
Football |
Columns |
Other Sports |
Slideshows |
Videos
