Rafael Nadal faces his toughest test yet in the shape of the big-hitting Tomas Berdych when the two heavyweights clash in the Australian Open 2015 quarterfinals at the Rod Laver Arena.
Nadal has looked both good and not-so-good at this Australian Open, but one thing has never been in doubt – his unparalleled fighting qualities.
Against Berdych, Nadal will have to be at his best, because if the Spaniard has even bit of an off day, then the Czech will take full advantage, even if Nadal has a wonderful head-to-head record against his quarterfinal opponent.
Nadal, though, knows those past results -- he has won the last 17 matches against Berdych -- will matter little come Tuesday. "Doesn't matter what happened in the past," he said. "It is different story this time. Different moment for me, different moment for him.
"So the way we arrive to that match don't going to affect what happened in the match. I'm sure of that. He's a great player. I have success against him, but I have the chances to lose against him.
"I remember 2012 probably I had a very, very tough match against him here. It was close to be two sets to love down. He's a player that is top level."
Nadal fought through a tough first set before dispatching the lanky Kevin Anderson in his fourth round match, while Berdych had to battle his opponent and the crowd in his victory over Australian favourite Bernard Tomic.
That win would have given Berdych a lot of confidence going into this quarterfinal, and the seventh seed will hope for a similar performance, with just an added level, when he faces up against the man who is seeded third in this Australian Open.
"I'm feeling very good," said Berdych after his impressive win over Tomic on Sunday. "It's been a great, great run so far. But, yeah, I just put myself in the best possible position right now.
"I'm just really looking forward to it. I'm going to have to, you know, add something extra again. I mean, that's how the tournament is developing, just move forward, just be ready for it.
"I'm feeling strong both physically and mentally. Just looking forward to the match."
Where to Watch Live
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Nadal vs Berdych will be shown live on TV in India on Sony Six and Sony Six HD, while viewers in India can also catch all the action via live streaming online on livsports.in.
Audience across the world can also watch the fourth round live on the Australian Open website's live option.
