Nadal beats Alex de Minaur in Australian Open third round
Spain's Nadal, 32, converted his sixth match point to win 6-1 6-2 6-4 in their third-round match in Melbourne.
The 17-time Grand Slam champion dominated on serve, winning 82% of points on first serve.
That allowed him to attack 19-year-old De Minaur's serve, breaking five times on his way into the last 16.
De Minaur, seeded 27th, provided incredible resistance to save five match points in the final game, eventually succumbing to the sixth - after Nadal received a time violation from umpire Carlos Ramos - when he clubbed a forehand long.
"He's a big fighter and super quick, probably the fastest on the tour. I played a great game until 40-0," Nadal said.
"I played a solid match and want to congratulate Alex for a great start to the season. I think he has a great future."
De Minaur, who went into the match with a seven-match winning streak after claiming his maiden ATP title in Sydney last week, said he was proud of his performance in what had been a "great Aussie summer".
"I was disappointed not to perform a bit better but that's what Rafa does to you," he added.
"But I got better as the match went on and I fought to the end.
"He served well. His first-serve percentage was scary. They were decent-paced first serves, as well."
Nadal, who won the Australian Open in 2009, will face unseeded Czech Tomas Berdych next on Sunday.
The 17-time Grand Slam champion dominated on serve, winning 82% of points on first serve.
That allowed him to attack 19-year-old De Minaur's serve, breaking five times on his way into the last 16.
De Minaur, seeded 27th, provided incredible resistance to save five match points in the final game, eventually succumbing to the sixth - after Nadal received a time violation from umpire Carlos Ramos - when he clubbed a forehand long.
"He's a big fighter and super quick, probably the fastest on the tour. I played a great game until 40-0," Nadal said.
"I played a solid match and want to congratulate Alex for a great start to the season. I think he has a great future."
De Minaur, who went into the match with a seven-match winning streak after claiming his maiden ATP title in Sydney last week, said he was proud of his performance in what had been a "great Aussie summer".
"I was disappointed not to perform a bit better but that's what Rafa does to you," he added.
"But I got better as the match went on and I fought to the end.
"He served well. His first-serve percentage was scary. They were decent-paced first serves, as well."
Nadal, who won the Australian Open in 2009, will face unseeded Czech Tomas Berdych next on Sunday.
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