Dominant Nadal rolls into Brisbane quarters on comeback

Renowned tennis player Rafael Nadal marked a significant step in his comeback from injury, securing a decisive victory against Australian Jason Kubler in the Brisbane International, advancing to the quarter-finals with a commanding 6-1, 6-2 performance.

Nadal, absent from the professional tour for a year due to a hip injury sustained at the 2023 Australian Open, displayed formidable prowess, fueling anticipation for his participation in the upcoming Australian Open at Melbourne Park.

The 37-year-old Spaniard, expressing contentment with his return, is scheduled to face Australian Jordan Thompson in the quarter-finals, potentially setting the stage for a high-stakes semi-final against second-seeded Grigor Dimitrov.

In the women’s draw, the competition witnessed a notable upset as Jelena Ostapenko concluded Karolina Pliskova’s title defense with a hard-fought 6-4, 4-6, 6-3 victory. The former French Open champion, battling challenging weather conditions, secured a spot in the quarter-finals against Victoria Azarenka. Azarenka, a former world number one, navigated through a stern challenge from French contender Clara Burel, winning 7-5, 6-2.

The professional tennis circuit also saw impressive performances, with second-seeded Elena Rybakina demonstrating superb form in a 6-1, 6-0 victory over Elise Mertens.

Additional triumphs were achieved by Linda Noskova of the Czech Republic and 16-year-old rising star Mirra Andreeva. As the competition intensifies at the Brisbane International, the tennis world anticipates further compelling matchups and displays of exceptional skill on the court.