Rafael Nadal powers into Australian Open quarterfinals after four-set win over Diego Schwartzman

RAFAEL Nadal has powered into the Australian Open quarterfinals and is just two wins away from making another final. With Roger Federer in exceptional form, could we be headed for another fairytale final?

Rafael Nadal is through to the quarterfinals of the Australian Open after a four-set win over Diego Schwartzman. Picture: Michael Klein

IS IT too early to talk about the F-word?

Not faults or finals, on this occasion, but ‘Fedal’, which went global last year when Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal surged into the Australian Open Final.

Many considered the fantasy decider a fairytale ending to one of the sport’s greatest rivalries.

Federer, then 35, had not claimed a grand slam title since Wimbledon 2012, while Nadal, then 30, rode into the final with a two-year major drought.

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And yet 12 months on, and with two majors apiece, the prospect of another ‘Fedal’ final loomed large at Melbourne Park on Sunday after Nadal prevailed in four sets of intimidating tennis.

While Federer breezed into the round of 16 on Saturday night, Nadal needed to draw on every ounce of energy and experience to stop Diego Schwartzman, a pint-sized Argentine, who threw everything and then some at the world No.1 on Rod Laver Arena.

Rafael Nadal is through to the quarterfinals of the Australian Open after a four-set win over Diego Schwartzman. Picture: Michael Klein

“I was able to keep fighting until the end, it was the first big match that I played in 2018,” Nadal said.

“I started later than usually (knee soreness pre-season), one match like this probably helps because that’s confidence for myself, knowing that I can resist almost four hours on the court, playing at the good intensity, so quarterfinals already, that’s great news, I’m very happy for that.”

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Schwartzman walked into Rod Laver Arena the underdog and walked out with many more admirers than before.

The gritty baseliner simply refused to wilt under fierce Nadal pressure and, at times, relentless momentum across four tantalising sets.

The Spaniard is the tax man in a pink bandana.

He audits every aspect of an opponent’s game: from the serve and groundstrokes to tenacity, resilience and endurance.

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Nadal started slowly, coughing up 10 unforced errors compared to just the two winners in the first six games of the match, but he quickly kicked into gear to defend early break opportunities.

Schwartzman completed the unthinkable, breaking Nadal on multiple occasions in the second set, on the back of willing stroke-play, to force a tiebreak, and then ultimately level the match.

The challenge only spurred on the raging bull, who secured early breaks in the next two sets to book a quarterfinal showdown with 2014 US Open champion Marin Cilic.

Importantly, Nadal’s victory, 6-3 6-7 (4-7) 6-3 6-3, also guaranteed his world ranking.

Whatever happens in the second week of the Australian Open, the Spaniard will leave Melbourne as the top-ranked player in the world.

But to go one better in ‘Fedal’ version 2.0 must bridge the gap to the GOAT.

Nadal will face Cilic on Tuesday after the No.6 seed defeated No.10 Pablo Carreno Busta.

Argentina's Diego Schwartzman threw everything he could at Rafael Nadal but it still wasn’t enough.

Minutes after he clinched his 100th grand slam victory, Croatia’s Cilic was understandably ebullient.

“No, I don’t watch for them but it’s beautiful to hear,” the 29-year-old said of the new-found stats. “I hope to continue.”

“It was an unbelievable match with lot of ups and downs, Pablo gave me a lot of trouble. He is solid from the back and has great shots, I was relieved I played such a great tie break at the end.”

Indeed tie-breaks have become a speciality this Open, five in the past couple of rounds have gone the distance for Cilic, including three today in the four set, near four hour victory.

He should, in truth, have finished the job earlier

Conditions were difficult he admitted, on a surprisingly humid day. Indeed Carreno Busta, who appeared unhappy throughout, calling umpire Alison Hughes down from her chair and onto the court to inspect a few drops of rain that appeared at 2-3 in the second set.

To call the response overkill would be an injustice as half a dozen fresh towels were summoned for half a dozen ball boys and girls to scrub the lines free of moisture.

Marin Cilic will face Rafael Nadal in the quarterfinals. Picture: Getty

Three days before, when the court was a furnace, there will have been more liquid on the floor dropped by sweaty and soaking players than was evident here. And a few minutes later it was sunny again.

“It was raining,” explained Cilic, simply, afterwards. Okay, but come on.

The plan for the number six seed in 2018 is straightforward Cilic said.

“My goal in this year is to win a Grand Slam. Generally, throughout my career, I knew that if I’m top of my game, that I can challenge most of the guys on the tour and with the win at the US Open (2014), I believe it just became stronger. I know I believe in my own game, I think I’m moving the right direction.”

With a last eight fixture against Rafael Nadal looming, everything is on track he said.

“I felt I played all four matches on a good quality. Today I was a little bit up and down on some service games and he was returning quite good. But overall I’m feeling good with the game. I’m hitting the ball really nicely, taking chances, playing aggressive, you know, taking the ball as early as I can. So overall, feeling good.”