Former champion Rafael Nadal and fourth seed Daniil Medvedev both cruised into the Australian Open quarter-finals.

Spaniard Nadal, the 2009 winner and number two seed, gained a routine 6-3 6-4 6-2 win over Italy’s 16th seed Fabio Fognini at Melbourne Park.

Nadal will face StefanosTsitsipas in the last eight on Wednesday.

Rafael Nadal

The Greek fifth seed was handed a walkover win in round four after MatteoBerrettini of Italy had to withdraw because of an abdominal injury.

Tsitsipas had been due to play ninth seed Berrettini in the final game on Rod Laver Arena on Monday.

“I have had a problem with my abs and I spoke to the doctors and they told me it could just get worse,” said Berrettini, 24.

“I’m not 100% me and my team decided it was not worth the risk to play.”

Nadal’s victory means he has reached a Grand Slam quarter-final for the 43rd time, going on to win 20 titles, although his only success in Melbourne was 12 years ago over Roger Federer.

He came into this tournament with a back injury, having withdrawn from the ATP Cup earlier this month, but has not dropped a set in his four matches.

Medvedev beat American world number 192 Mackenzie McDonald 6-4 6-2 6-3 to claim his 18th consecutive victory and it means there are three Russians in the quarter-finals of a Grand Slam for the first time in the Open era.

“I want more all the time, but step by step, so this is amazing,” said Medvedev, who only needed one hour and 29 minutes to defeat McDonald on Margaret Court Arena.

Medvedev will face compatriot AndreyRublev in the last eight. Seventh seed Rublev was leading 6-2 7-6 (7-3) when Norwegian opponent Casper Ruud retired with an injury.

AslanKaratasev, who had to win three matches in the qualifying event in Doha, won on Sunday as his dream Grand Slam debut continued.

No Russian male has won a Grand Slam since Marat Safin in Melbourne in 2005.

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