Rafael Nadal fends off qualifier Yannick Hanfmann to reach third round at Australian Open

MELBOURNE, Australia — Rafael Nadal moved into the third round at the Australian Open with a 6-2, 6-3, 6-4 win over 126th-ranked German qualifier Yannick Hanfmann on Wednesday.

Nadal didn't get it all his own way in an afternoon match at Rod Laver Arena, needing five match points and 2 hours, 42 minutes to beat Hanfmann.

The sixth-seeded Nadal, aiming for a men's record 21st Grand Slam singles title, had two match points on Hanfmann's serve and two more on his own in the next game before finally clinching a spot in the third round when his rival sent a forehand long.

Nadal converted four of his 16 break-point chances, including one of eight in the third set, but faced only two break points on his own serve and fended them both off.

For the 35-year-old Nadal, after fatigue and injuries curtailed his 2021 season following the French Open, time on the court is more important than anything else.

«I said here before the tournament started, things are not going to be perfect, but every day that I'm going to spend on court, the chances to play better are higher,» he said. «After two matches is the moment to make a step forward. I'm excited about it.»

Nadal shares the men's record of 20 singles titles with Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic, and Nadal doesn't have either of them in the draw this time.

Federer is skipping the Australian Open while he continues his recovery from injury. Djokovic, a nine-time champion at Melbourne Park, was deported after an 11-day saga that he ultimately lost because he didn't meet Australia's strict COVID-19 vaccination regulations.

Miomir Kecmanovic, who was originally drawn to meet Djokovic on the opening night, advanced to the third round with a 7-6 (7), 7-5, 7-6 (8) win over Tommy Paul of the