Australian Open: Catch up on the latest news from the men’s draw

Always do your research. The number one rule when interviewing anyone. this journalist was way off the mark in the most cringeworthy moment of the Open.

Always do your research. The number one rule when interviewing anyone. this journalist was way off the mark in the most cringe worthy moment of the Open.

Moments after Matteo Berrettini had withdrawn from the Australian Open due to injury, he fronted the media.

The first question was mortifying.

“So, Matteo, to start off with, can you talk us through your match and how you were feeling on the court today?” the moderator asked.

The Italian couldn’t help but laugh.

“I pulled out. I have a problem with my abs,” Berrettini said. “I spoke to the doctors and they said it can get worse, so obviously I’m not 100 per cent.

“With my team, I decided to not play because it’s not worth the risk on this big stage.”

Maybe they should leave the breaking news to Rafa Nadal after the Spaniard let slip that Berrettini had retired.

- Matteo, pouvez-vous nous raconter votre match et nous dire comment vous vous êtes senti ?

- Il a déclaré forfait.

(Rire gêné)

- J'ai déclaré forfait... pic.twitter.com/yR2TjMsCC8

— Quentin Moynet (@QuentinMoynet) February 15, 2021

The news of Berrettini withdrawing from his clash with Stefanos Tsitsipas Monday wasn’t broken by a journalist or Australian Open officials.

It came from none other than Nadal after an unfortunate press conference slip.

Nadal was drawn to play the winner of the match and was asked about his potential next opponent after his win over Fabio Fognini.

Rafael Nadal speaks after his clash with Fabio Fognini. Picture: AFP

“I need to make another step forward against Tsitsipas,” he said.

“Is it official? He’ll play tonight... OK. Well, I don’t know, maybe.

“I think I heard that Berrettini was a little bit injured but not official at all.”

Nadal then tried to explain the mistake.

“Sorry for that... but yeah, something... well, I messed it up.

“Was not my fault.”

Rafael Nadal lets it slip during his press conference that Matteo Berrettini has withdrawn ahead of his match against Stefanos Tsitsipas. Confirmed by the Australian Open seconds later. #AusOpen

— Stuart Fraser (@stu_fraser) February 15, 2021

Nadal: I need to make another step forward against Tsitsipas. Is it official? He'll play tonight? Well, I don't know, maybe. I think I heard that Berrettini was a little bit injured but not official at all. Sorry for that. But yeah, something... well, I messed it up (Laughter).

— Stuart Fraser (@stu_fraser) February 15, 2021

Tennis officials made the announcement of Berrettini’s withdrawal moments later.

In a day of injury carnage at Melbourne, Casper Ruud only made it through two sets of his match with Andrey Rublev before pulling the pin.

Berrettini suffered an abdominal strain in his third round match and was unable to recover in time.

“I’m really sorry to say I got injured in the last match I played,” Berrettini told Channel 9.

“I thought it wasn’t something really big, but the next day when I woke up I felt it was big so I spoke to the doctors and they told me it can get worse so (it’s) not worth (trying).

Matteo Berrettini gets treatment during his clash with Russia’s Karen Khachanov. Picture: AFP

“I’m not 100 per cent, so to beat these guys, you have to be 100 per cent and (it’s) not really professional to step in when not the best.

“I couldn’t play. I really tried hard, but unfortunately I’m not able to play tonight.”

The break is a huge bonus for Tsitsipas, who had clocked up some serious miles this event.

He was pushed to five sets in the second round against local hope Thanasi Kokkinakis.

Now Tsitsipas will enjoy an extended break before taking on Nadal on Wednesday.

.

Rafael Nadal is yet to drop a set at the Australian Open. Picture: Getty Images

SEVEN PLAYERS STAND BETWEEN RAFA AND HISTORY

—Marc McGowan

Rafael Nadal believes he played his best tennis of the Australian Open at the start of his fourth-round victory over Italy’s Fabio Fognini on Monday, in a promising sign for his title hopes.

The 6-3 6-4 6-2 defeat of Fognini earns Nadal a quarter-final shot at Greek fifth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas, who advanced when another Italian, Matteo Berrettini, withdrew with an abdominal strain.

The No.2 seed’s dealt with lingering back stiffness – which saw him hospitalised for a few hours – and even a heckler in the crowd at Melbourne Park, but is yet to drop a set.

“The first set, without a doubt, (was) my best level in the tournament. It’s normal, too, because I was able to practise for two days in a row,” Nadal said.

“That makes an important difference. But at the same time, it’s important to find positive feelings now. My physical condition needs to keep improving. But I think this match helps, too.

“I was not able to practise the proper way for the last 19 days, but yesterday I started again to increase the amount of work (in) practice, and today has been a positive victory with some long points, so that helps for the next match.”

Nadal was unable to quantify how far he was from peak condition, but indicated he had made significant improvement in the past five days.

Only seven players now stand between Nadal and history as he seeks a record 21st grand slam title.

A second Australian Open championship – to go with his 2009 triumph – would see him break a deadlock with Roger Federer, which would be a mighty achievement after he was unable to play any lead-up matches.

Rafael Nadal was dominant against Fabio Fognini. Picture: Getty Images

However, Nadal said records such as these were not the driving force in him still playing.

“I like tennis. I like what I am doing. That’s the main thing. I mean, of course, I am very motivated to win grand slams and to play in the most important events of the year,” he said.

“The only thing that I said is I have never been obsessed to try to be the best – I just did it my way. That worked for me. I think the ambition is important, but a healthy ambition.

“If you have too much ambition, then you can be frustrated when you are not able to achieve all the things that you wanted. I never approached the sport and my career that way.”

Nadal can still improve on Monday’s performance, including having a sub-40 per cent first-serve percentage in the late stages of the opening set, conceding serve a couple of times and trailing 2-4 in the second set.

There was still never any serious doubt about the result, with the Spaniard breaking Fognini immediately both times he dropped his own serve.

Nadal quickly snuffed out any hope of the Italian baseliner staging another improbable comeback, breaking his rival in the third and fifth games of the third set as he cruised to the finish line.

Daniil Medvedev has reached the Australian Open final eight. Picture: AFP Photo

RUSSIAN DANGERMAN READY TO JOIN GAME’S ELITE

—Joe Barton

After establishing himself as the greatest threat to Novak Djokovic snaffling a record eighth Australian Open or Rafael Nadal going past Roger Federer on the all-time grand slam winners list, Daniil Medvedev was asked who he viewed as the greatest.

His answer gave an insight into not just the greatness of tennis’ big three – but of the Russian’s own ambitions to join the game’s elite.

“I remember when (Pete) Sampras beat the record of the Grand Slams, I was really young. I remember all the news saying ‘this record is forever’,” Medvedev said after blitzing American Mackenzie McDonald in straight sets, his 18th consecutive victory dating back to last November.

“Then the three guys came, they (didn’t) just beat the record, they destroyed the record.

“It’s amazing because, for example, me, I’m 25, I’m playing good tennis.

“I feel like I’m one of the top players in the world. I have zero slams.

“Imagine for me to get to 20, I need to win five years in a row every slam. Roland Garros I’m not so good so far.

“Five years in a row I need to win every slam against amazing opponents, five-set matches and not be injured.

“That’s ridiculous numbers. For me, they’re for sure the three greatest players in the history of tennis.”

As it stands, with world No.1 Djokovic battling injury – the severity of which remains a mystery – and second seed Nadal also hampered by a back complaint, the door is wide open for a new challenger.

US Open champion, and last year’s runner-up, Dominic Thiem bombed out on Sunday but there were no such jitters for Medvedev who was off the court in less than 90 minutes on Monday.

Daniil Medvedev was too good for Mackenzie McDonald. Picture: Getty Images

The Russian had a slight wobble in the first set, dropping three straight games after opening up a 5-1 lead, but regained his composure to completely outclass his opponent 6-4 6-2 6-3.

His reward is a quarter-final with compatriot Andrey Rublev, the world No.8 who cruised into the final eight with a walkover against Casper Ruud when up two sets to love.

The pair, who shot Russia to ATP Cup success little more than a week ago, are good friends but that won’t change their approach on Wednesday according to Medvedev.

“On the tennis court we’re going to try to win. Doesn’t matter,” Medvedev said.

“If you can win 0-0-0, you’re going to make it. You’re not going to give two games at the end to say ‘he’s my close friend, I’m going to give him two games’.

“If you have to win 7-6 in the fifth, you’re going to try to make it. Same for him.”