Nadal Aims To Keep Heat On Federer Slams Record
Muhammad Rameez Published January 22, 2020 | 07:07 PM
Rafael Nadal will step up his bid for a record-equalling 20th Grand Slam title when he faces Argentina's Federico Delbonis at the Australian Open on Thursday
Melbourne, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 22nd Jan, 2020 ) :Rafael Nadal will step up his bid for a record-equalling 20th Grand Slam title when he faces Argentina's Federico Delbonis at the Australian Open on Thursday.
The Spaniard can only count one Melbourne title among his 19 Majors but he will be confident of reaching the third round at least after winning all three previous meetings with Delbonis.
Swiss great Roger Federer, winner of 20 Grand Slam tournaments, and eight-time Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic are already through after straightforward wins.
Nadal has dropped only 10 games to 76th-ranked Delbonis in their previous meetings but he's not immune to Grand Slam shocks, losing four times to players ranked 100 or lower.
Victory in Melbourne would make Nadal the first man in the Open era -- and only the third in history -- to win all four Major titles twice, after Roy Emerson and Rod Laver.
Later on Thursday, Nick Kyrgios faces Frenchman Gilles Simon as he looks to become the tournament's first home-grown men's champion since Mark Edmondson in 1976.
Kyrgios is known for his combustible nature but after spearheading fundraising efforts for Australia's bushfire crisis he has cut a relatively calm figure in Melbourne -- so far.
"I'm just playing for a lot more than myself. I've said it before... there's not necessarily added pressure. I feel like I'm playing for a lot of people," he said.
The 2014 champion Stan Wawrinka takes on Italy's Andreas Seppi and world number five Dominic Thiem is up against Australia's Alex Bolt, ranked 135 places lower.
In the women's draw, Wimbledon champion Simona Halep takes on Britain's Harriet Dart, and 2016 Melbourne winner Angelique Kerber faces Australia's Priscilla Hon.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Stock markets rise as traders consider US rate outlook
Parvez Elahi's indictment delayed again in two cases
Business community alarmed by alleged Cigarette tax violations
Iran-Pakistan ties strengthen amid economic and regional cooperation: Ambassador
KP CM condemns killing of custom officials in Dera
High FED on cigarettes demonstrates positive impact
MoU signed for skilled manpower in AJK: PM lauds initiative
PTCL posts 14 % revenue growth
Punjab CM Maryam visits Zero Line Kartarpur Sharif to Inaugurate ‘Besakhi’
MoHR helpline received 1,460,460 calls since its inception
Court summons witnesses in arms & liquor case against KP CM
KP politicians, civil society laud President's address
More Stories From Sports
-
Former England Test batsman Raman Subba Row dies aged 92
50 minutes ago -
Rybakina beats Kudermetova to reach last eight in Stuttgart
56 minutes ago -
Arsenal paid for 'big mistake' in Bayern defeat: Arteta
3 hours ago -
Matthews leads West Indies women to convincing victory over Pakistan in series opener
3 hours ago -
Former number one Momota retires from international badminton at 29
6 hours ago -
Former number one Momota retires from international badminton at 29
4 hours ago
-
Former number one Momota retires from international badminton at 29
7 hours ago -
Azam experiences discomfort during Wednesday's training session
4 hours ago -
Azam Khan likely to miss T20I series against Kiwis due to discomfort in right knee
7 hours ago -
Former number one Momota retires from international badminton at 29
7 hours ago -
Two Pak coaches complete UCI Level 1 course
9 hours ago -
National team determined for good performance against New Zealand: Babar Azam
10 hours ago