Australian Open 2019: Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer Breeze Through To Fourth Round

Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer edged closer to winning their first title of the season having reached the fourth round of the event at Melbourne Park on Friday. The pair swept through third round match winning in straight sets against their opponents - Alex de Minaur for the former and Taylor Fritz for the Swiss. 

Second seed Nadal brutally swept through the sets using his missile-like forehand shots and slices to win 7 straight games from 1-1 of the opening through the second set and wrapped the match in straight sets victory 6-1, 6-2, 6-4 over Alex de Minaur. 

The Aussie, 19, tried to take a stance against the Spaniard in the opening set winning his first game after a deuce, but he was quickly put to check and as Nadal said after the match, "He's super quick. He likes to go inside the court fast, [and] i tried to not give him many chances on that."

The 2009 champion is bidding to end is title drought in Melbourne after failing to win in three finals afterwards. He will face Czech Tomas Berdych in the next match. 

In earlier draw, defending champion Federer wasted no time to oust American player Taylor Fritz in straight sets 6-2, 7-5, 6-2 to progress to the fourth round on Friday. 

Fritz had a workout with the world no. 3 who won five break points winning 93% of his first serves, giving no chances to the American.  

The Swiss has his seventh title to grab just as world no. 1 Novak Djokovic his vying for the same feat. He will face Stefanos Tsitsipas in his next match.