Nadal edges Zverev in five sets at Open

Fourteen-time major winner Rafael Nadal is through to the fourth round of the Australian Open but he has had to do it the hard way, needing five sets to overcome the challenge of rising German superstar Alexander Zverev.

The Spanish No.9 seed came from two sets to one down to win 4-6 6-3 6-7 (5-7) 6-3 6-2 in an epic encounter which lasted four hours and six minutes.

The 24th-seeded German cramped up midway through the final set on Saturday and Nadal seized the opportunity, claiming a crucial break of serve in the fifth game.

Zverev had butchered a match point before losing his only previous encounter against Nadal last year at Indian Wells.

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