Rafa Nadal has returned to the Grand Slam big-time by fending off Gael Monfils 6-3 6-3 4-6 6-4 in a tense clash on Monday to reach the Australian Open quarter-finals.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that former champion Nadal had not reached the last eight in a major since the 2015 French Open.
This explains why he celebrated wildly after closing out the two-hour 56-minute clash at a packed Rod Laver Arena.
It was not the most convincing of wins for the 30-year-old Spaniard, who was rattled when Monfils rallied in the fourth set.
However, the 14-times Grand Slam champion was clinical when it counted to keep his pursuit of a 15th major title alive.
Nadal will meet third seed Milos Raonic for a place in the semi-finals.
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