Nadal survives epic opening set tie-breaker to defeat Mannarino

After the energy-sapping first set under the blazing afternoon sun at Melbourne Park’s main showcourt, the 69th-ranked Frenchman wilted as Nadal went on to seal the win with an ace on his first match point.

Rafa Nadal survived a mammoth first-set tiebreaker before going on to beat fellow lefty Adrian Mannarino 7-6(14) 6-2 6-2 and reach the quarter-finals of the Australian Open on Sunday, remaining on course for a men’s record 21st Grand Slam title.