Rafael Nadal celebrates Major achievement after winning 30 consecutive sets

The 20-time Major champion Rafael Nadal is through to the last 16 in Melbourne for the 14th time following a 7-5, 6-2, 7-5 victory over Cameron Norrie.

Rafa had to work harder than in the previous two rounds, and it was still enough to seal the deal in straight sets, serving well and delivering five breaks that carried him over the top and into the fourth round. Struggling with a back injury for a couple of weeks, Nadal did his best to impose his shots and play aggressive tennis that would keep the points on his racquet. The Spaniard avoided more extended exchanges and spent around six hours on the court so far.

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Also, Rafa became the third player in the Open era with 30 consecutive sets won at Majors, joining John McEnroe and Roger Federer on the exclusive list. The Spaniard kicked off his streak at the last year's Roland Garros in October, winning all seven matches in straight sets, including wins over Diego Schwartzman and Novak Djokovic. Nadal became the only player in the Open era with four Major titles won without losing a set, shifting that form to the Australian Open and earning maximum triumphs against Laslo Djere, Michael Mmoh and Cameron Norrie to extend the streak to 30.

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In 1984, John McEnroe rattled off 35 consecutive sets at Wimbledon and the US Open, toppling the previous Bjorn Borg's record and staying at the top until 2006-2007. Roger Federer gathered 36 straight sets between the 2006 US Open final and the 2007 Roland Garros when he lost the second set against Tommy Robredo in the quarter-final, doing enough to top the charts.