Melbourne, Feb 11: Rafael Nadal shrugged off any lingering back soreness to storm past qualifier Michael Mmoh on Thursday for the loss of just seven games, brushing off a bizarre incident that saw fan thrown out.
The world number two has been struggling with tightness in his lower back since arriving in Australia last month, but showed few signs of it with the roof closed on Rod Laver Arena.
He crushed the American 6-1, 6-4, 6-2 in a match interrupted in the second set when a woman was ejected after heckling him and directing rude gestures in his direction.
The Spanish great took it in his stride, grinning and playing football with the ball while he waited, seemingly enjoying having spectators back.
Asked afterwards whether he knew her, he replied: “No, and honestly I don’t want to know.”
He will next play Britain’s Cameron Norrie in his quest for a 21st Grand Slam title.
“I always try to be better, sometimes it happens and sometimes not. Tonight has been a positive evening for me, winning in straight sets.
“For me, I am now just focusing on what is coming because that is going to be more difficult,” he added.
The 2009 champion, who has a history of back problems, is bidding to win his 21st major title and claim sole ownership of the men’s record, which he currently shares with Roger Federer.
But the king of clay has often laboured in vain on Melbourne’s hardcourts, reaching five finals but only having the one title, falling in the quarterfinals last year to Dominic Thiem.
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