AUSTRALIAN OPEN: Adrian Mannarino falls in arms against Rafael Nadal in the round of 16

Adrian Mannarino was beaten in three sets by Rafael Nadal in the round of 16 of the Australian Open (7-6, 6-2, 6-2 in 2:40). Stated thus, the raw result, which some will perhaps discover when getting up this Sunday morning, seems in line with the expected logic, bordering on a confusing banality. It does not say everything about the huge fight in which the two left-handers fought during a fantastic tie-break of the 1st set which will remain in the annals of this 2022 edition, and perhaps even a little more. The Spaniard won it, before racing to an easy victory over an opponent who (it seems) injured his adductors during this decisive game.

Throughout his fantastic career, Rafael Nadal will have been through a lot. But never again such a long tie-break: almost half an hour of play (for a 1st set of 1h21) and thirty points disputed, including several absolutely sumptuous, before the Spaniard ended up concluding 16-14 on his 7th opportunity, and after having himself discarded four set points.

Mannarino, however, had opportunities

Too bad for “Manna”, really a shame because he had done more than even play during this 1st set which he had even slightly dominated on “points”. He also got the only break point, at 6-5, saved by the Spaniard from a good serve, clearly the most satisfying part of his game today (16 aces, 88% points earned behind his first ball).

In the tie break, Val d’Oisien was once again heroic in saving several set points, including one at 9-8 after an extraordinary exchange of 25 racquet strokes concluded with a supersonic forehand winner. The high point of this piece of bravery, certainly.

But the turning point of the match probably took place just after, when Mannarino got his second set point, at 12-11. In the exchange that followed, he seemed to have wrung Nadal who then tried, as if to get rid of the ball, a badly touched drop shot on which Adrian was largely, offering himself a backhand almost penalty to play. All that was left was to conclude.

Unfortunately for him, he not only chose the wrong side, allowing Nadal to miraculously pass him behind, but he was seen to end this exchange with a grimace. The sign of an injury which, once the loss of this tie break was recorded, would precipitate his fall, even if he made it a point of honor not to give up.

It will ultimately be Shapovalov for Nadal

It is also likely that, even if he had won this tie break, Mannarino would not have lasted the distance. But anyway, he lost it. Or rather, Rafael Nadal went to conquer it, once again demonstrating his extraordinary ability to rise in hot moments while “sucking” the opposing brain. Illustration by example on the decisive set point, at 15-14: a point that he should have lost a thousand times over if he hadn’t pulled away like hell before choosing the right side and hitting before the rebound a passing full of rage. We are a legend or we are not…

So Rafael Nadal qualified for the 14th time for the quarter-finals of the Australian Open, thus equaling the score of local icon John Newcombe, one unit behind the record holder in the matter, Roger Federer. In total, this will be his 45th Grand Slam quarter-final. And, good news never coming alone, he will not compete against the “bis” favorite of the tournament, Alexander Zverev. But facing his faller, Denis Shapovalov.