Nadal edges Zverev in thrilling encounter

Rafael Nadal overcame promising youngster Alexander Zverev to reach the fourth round of the Australian Open in an exciting tie in Melbourne.

Nadal - who won the competition back in 2009 - recorded the third round win 4-6 6-3 6-7 (5-7) 6-3 6-2 in a match that lasted four hours and six minutes.

The Spaniard faces France's Gael Monfils in the fourth round, after the 30-year-old saw off the challenge of Philipp Kohlschreiber 6-3 7-6 (7-1) 6-4.

"I won by fighting and running a lot," Nadal said.

"I think everybody knows how good Alexander is. He's the future of our sport and the present too.

"It's been a very tough match for me. I didn't start playing my best and I was not feeling very well because I was losing too much court. When I felt I was feeling better I had more time to control from the baseline.

"It was a close one but he deserved to play a little more aggressive than me. I had to fight for every point."

Denis Istomin continued his whirlwind start to the Australian Open with a win over Spanish 30th seed Pablo Carreno Busta 6-4 4-6 6-4 4-6 6-2.

The 30-year-old qualifier from Uzbekistan shocked Novak Djokovic in round two, after defeating the Serb 7-6 (10/8) 5-7 2-6 7-6 (7/5) 6-4, in four hours and 45 minutes.

Istomin will face the winner of Grigor Dimitrov and Richard Gasquet.

Meanwhile, Belgium’s David Goffin confirmed his fourth-round place after he beat Croatian Ivo Karlovic with a 6-3 6-2 6-4 victory and will face Dominic Thiem, who overcame Benoit Paire 6-1 4-6 6-4 6-4 in the last round.

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