More big names tumbled out of the Australian Open in searing heat on Sunday.
Alexander Zverev of Germany, world number three and a favourite to win his first Grand Slam, was beaten in straight sets by the Canadian Denis Shapovalov, the number 14 seed.
Last year, Zverev won the Olympic title and, for the second time, the prestigious ATP finals. He also won two Masters events (the level just below Grand Slams), and was among the players hoping this to be his year in the absence of Novak Djokovic.
Shapovalov will now place Rafael Nadal for a place in the semi-final. Nadal beat Frenchman Adrian Mannarino in straight sets, but only after coming through a first set tie-break that lasted 28 minutes.
Nadal, the 2009 winner, appears fully recovered from the injury problems and the bout of Covid-19 that ended his 2021 season early. He will now entertain hopes of lifting the trophy again next Sunday, which will take him clear of Djokovic and Roger Federer in terms of all-time Grand Slam winners.
It will be an ironic twist if a month that began with the narrative based on Djokovic’s attempt to secure the record ended with Nadal claiming it instead.
In the meantime, Ash Barty’s quest to become the first Australian winner of her home Grand Slam remains firmly on track. Barty, world number one and top seed, brushed aside the challenge of Amanda Anisimova of the USA, who had knocked out defending champion Naomi Osaka in the third round. She will now play another American, Jessica Pegula, in the last eight.
Pegula beat another top seed, Maria Sakkari of Greece, the world number eight, in straight sets.
Last year, Barty crumbled under the pressure of being the home favourite. However, there have been no signs that the pressure getting to her this time.
As a reminder to all players that they are not immune from the pandemic, Belgian Alison van Uytvanck has tested positive for Covid-19 after returning from the Australian Open. She is now self-isolating and following all the health protocols.