Australian Open Results: Rafael Nadal And Alexander Zverev Still Perfect

MDP Live - Rafael Nadal held on after dropping the third set in the third round of the Australian Open so he maintained a perfect start to the 2022 season.

The former world number 1 found the answer to overcoming 28th seed Karen Khachanov to win 6-3, 6-2, 3-6, 6-1, a victory that took her into the fourth round of the Australian Open for the 15th time.

Prior to January, the Spaniard had not competed since appearing in Washington in August last season due to a foot injury. But going into the 2022 season, he is playing like he hasn't walked away from the tournament and with a win over Russian Khachanov he is now 6-0 in 2022.

"It's been a very special week for me, to be back. Every time I get to play here it feels really special. Tonight (21/1) I played against a great player and a good friend in the tournament. It's my best player since I came back, without a doubt," said Nadal.

The tennis player, who won her 89th career title in the Melbourne Summer Set earlier this month, dropped just one point from her serve in the first set against Khachanov before picking up victory in 2 hours 50 minutes at Rod Laver Arena.

The tennis player seeking a second Australian Open title of her career hit 39 winners and made 30 unforced errors en route to dominating head to head against Khachanov by 8-0.

Standing between sixth seed Nadal and a place in the Australian Open quarter-finals are 18th seed Aslan Karatsev or Frenchman Adrian Mannarino.

In other action, world number 3 Alexander Zverev is also unbeaten after he thrashed Radu Albot 6-3, 6-4, 6-4.

The two players have met before when Germany's Zverev won an epic five-set first round at the 2019 US Open, but he uses his weaponry to make a lethal impact to ensure that he doesn't have to go through the marathons he had before.

The 2021 ATP Finals champion shot 16 aces and won 83 percent of points from his first serve to beat world number 124 Albot in 1 hour 57 minutes.

In the fourth round of the Australian Open, Zverev will duel against 14th seed Denis Shapovalov who knocked out American Reilly Opelka 7-6, 4-6, 6-3, 6-4.

ATP Cup Results: Germany tackles, Canada advances to the semifinals

MDP Live - Felix Auger Aliassime steered Canada into the ATP Cup semifinals after thrashing world number 3 Alexander Zverev 6-4, 4-6, 6-3, his first career win over a top 5 player.

After England's 2-1 win over the US earlier at the Qudos Bank Arena, Canada knew a win over Germany would see them through to the semifinals of the 2022 ATP Cup season.

With the pressure all around, Auger Aliassime followed in Denis Shapovalov's winning footsteps by showing incredible tenacity against Tokyo Olympic gold medalist Zverev. With the win, Canada won 2-0 against Germany in Group C and will face defending champions Russia in this season's ATP Cup semifinals.

“It was incredible to beat Zverev,” Auger Aliassime exclaimed. “I played a stunning match. He's a great player and he's beaten me a few times before. So, I'm very happy to be able to complete my task today (6/1), especially for the team."

"We had a pretty tough start to the tournament a few days ago, so to finish well and make it to the semi-finals feels really special. The atmosphere is also amazing, that's why we compete."

In an entertaining match, the 21-year-old bounced back after wasting four break point opportunities at 3-3 in the second set before winning the match after 2 hours 32 minutes.

World number 12 Auger Aliassime was impressive with his serve throughout the match, including winning 76 percent of his first serve points. He maintained a high and consistent level of play in a fierce decider before going 2-4 in head to head against Zverev.

For the first time, Canada has reached the semifinals of the men's team competition. Another semifinal will bring together Poland and Spain.

In the previous match, Shapovalov gave Canada hope with a 7-6, 4-6, 6-3 win over Jan Lennard Struff.

"It's great to be back and competing," said Shapovalov. "We got a golden opportunity. There is a lot waiting for us, but we are fighting and we have fought every game. Felix inspired us in the previous games and we are just trying to give everything we can for Canada."

The match between Canada and Germany was completed when German duo Kevin Krawietz and Tim Puetz beat Steven Diez and Brayden Schnur 6-3, 6-4.