Rafael Nadal trains for an hour and a half ahead of Fabio Fognini clash

World no. 2 Rafael Nadal will seek the Australian Open quarter-final spot against Fabio Fognini on Monday on Rod Laver Arena, hoping for another reliable Melbourne Park performance.

Nadal experienced a back injury during the Adelaide quarantine, heading to Melbourne not at 100% and raising concerns ahead of his first Australian Open clash. Skipping the entire ATP Cup, the Spaniard kicked off the official season against Laslo Djere, delivering aggressive tennis and controlling the scoreboard to reach the second round in under two hours.

Michael Mmoh was Nadal's next rival, and the 20-time Major winner had another easy day at the office, finishing the encounter within two hours and saving energy for the following clashes. Rafa had to work a bit harder against Cameron Norrie, beating the Briton 7-5, 6-2, 7-5 to keep a perfect record in Melbourne this year and set the fourth-round clash with Fabio Fognini. It should be Nadal's first real test in the new season, with the Italian ousting the Aussie star Alex de Minaur in the third round to set Nadal's meeting.

Rafa had to work a bit harder against Cameron Norrie, beating the Briton 7-5, 6-2, 7-5 to keep a perfect record in Melbourne this year and set the fourth-round clash with Fabio Fognini. It should be Nadal's first real test in the new season, with the Italian ousting the Aussie star Alex de Minaur in the third round to set Nadal's meeting.

Unlike his usual pattern, Rafa had to skip some training sessions in the previous days and treat his back, hoping to take the pain away and remain in contention for the title. The Spaniard returned to the practice court on Sunday, staying on it for an hour and a half and working on his footwork ahead of a potentially dangerous encounter.