Nadal praises Kyrgios talent after four-set win - Australian Open reaction

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It is definitely worth a watch as that was one brilliant match.

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Spanish top seed Rafael Nadal battled past rival Nick Kyrgios in a thrilling four-set match to reach the Australian Open quarter-finals.

Nadal, 33, had not dropped a set this tournament before 23rd seed Kyrgios provided his biggest test so far. Kyrgios, who wore a Kobe Bryant basketball shirt in the warm-up, battled hard but Nadal came through 6-3 3-6 7-6 (8-6) 7-6 (7-4).

Nadal will face Austrian fifth seed Dominic Thiem in the last eight.

Nadal and Kyrgios have not always seen eye to eye with the rivalry blowing up last year after a tempestuous meeting in Acapulco. Afterwards the 19-time Grand Slam champion accused Kyrgios of lacking respect before the Australian responded by calling him "super-salty".

Yet the respect for each other's ability on the court, despite their wildly contrasting styles, has rarely been in doubt.

"When Nick is playing like he did today with this positive attitude he brings a lot of things to our sport," said Nadal, who won his only Australian Open title in 2009.

"I encourage him to keep working like this because he is one of the biggest talents of our tour."

Charlotte: I'm exhausted after listening to that. Vamos Rafa! Kudos to Kyrgios for playing to his ability and not showing himself up like he usually does when it doesn’t go his way on court.

James Stevenson: That was a great match. Well done Nick for fighting to the end. Rafa wore him down. He’s a machine. Probably only one man who can stop him now.

Akinpelu Kayode A: Well played Nick and Rafa. I wanted a fifth, but I thoroughly enjoyed that. Nick didn't have enough left in the tank.

• Rafael Nadal (Spa, 1) vs Dominic Thiem (Aut, 5)
• Stan Wawrinka (Sui, 15) vs Alexander Zverev (Ger, 7)
• Tennys Sandgren (US) v Roger Federer (Sui, 3)
• Milos Raonic (Can, 32) v Novak Djokovic (Ser, 2)

Rafael Nadal on facing Dominic Thiem next: "It will be a tough match, we know each other very well, he's a great character, a fighter and hits the ball very well.

"I am moving in the right direction though and hopefully this victory gives me more positive feelings."

Rafael Nadal on Nick Kyrgios: "It was a very tough match. You are never in control against Nick because he's so difficult to break. I played a scary game at 5-4, accepted that and tried to find the level of my tennis again.

"When Nick is playing like today he gives a lot of positive things to our sport and I encourage him to keep playing like this because he is one of the highest talents.

"I have liked the Nick Kyrgios during the whole of this tournament."

Rafael Nadal, speaking to John McEnroe on court, pays tribute to basketball legend Kobe Bryant: "It is terrible news, I'm super sad. He was one of the greatest sportsmen in history and deserves a round of big applause.

"He always wanted to increase his level and was an inspiration to the world of sport and a lot of kids."

Rafael Nadal puts on a Los Angeles Lakers hat on at the end as a tribute to basketball legend Kobe Bryant, who died yesterday.

A great serve from Nadal, right into the Kyrgios body, the Australian does well to get anything on it, but sends it way too long. Two match points for Nadal. 6-4.

But a huge forehand down the line from Kyrgios keeps it lively. 5-4 to Nadal, with two serves to come. If he wins both points it's Dominic Thiem in the last eight for the world number one.

With Nadal at the back of the court, Kyrgios tries his luck with a drop shot, but there's not enough pace on the ball and it drops short. Advantage Nadal, he leads 5-3. Two more shots for the quarter-finals.

A great out-swinging serve from Nadal, Kyrgios can get a racquet on it, but can't get it over the net. 4-3 Nadal.

But then a crouching backhand from Kyrgios has his head in his hands as the shot rolls into the foot of the net and a scream of 'nooooooooo' follows. 3-3.

Kyrgios thinks he has found the tramline, Nadal thinks he hasn't but Hawk-Eye shows the Australian was right. 3-2 Kyrgios

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It's been an absolute treat to watch this match.

A perfect serve, ace number 25 of the match for Kyrgios, makes it 2-2.

But Nadal takes the next one and he leads 2-1 in the tie-break.

Nadal, from the baseline, saves a couple of shots, Kyrgios fails to put away a smash but Nadal nets. 1-1.