Rafa Nadal battles past Gael Monfils to reach last eight

Updated 23/01/2017 at 16:08 GMT

Ninth seed Rafael Nadal overcame a spirited resistance from number six seed Gael Monfils to make the quarter-finals of the Australian Open.

Spain's Rafael Nadal consoles France's Gael Monfils after winning their Men's singles fourth round match

Image credit: Reuters

Nadal, a winner in Melbourne in 2009, now faces third seed Milos Raonic in the quarter-finals after a 6-3 6-3 4-6 6-4 win over Monfils.

It is the first time he has reached the last eight of a Grand Slam since Roland Garros in 2015.

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The Frenchman may have been seeded against the 14-time Grand Slam winner but in reality Nadal had far too much on the night.

Monfils, who exhibited his usual array of unconventional shots, managed to take the third set, and was a break up in the fourth, but Nadal powered through.

"Gael is a really special player," said Nadal. "One of the most charismatic players on tour, so it's a pleasure to see him doing so well. It's great news for our sport.

"Tonight I started well and had a few chances in the third, and then it was difficult in the fourth.

"Then at the end of the match, Gael made a few mistakes, and I played a good backhand on the break point and it meant the world that game. I'm very happy to be in quarte- finals of a Slam again after a couple of years. It's very special.

"Australia feels like home, and the crowd supports me here so much."