No sign of injury only ‘positive feeling’ for Rafael Nadal as he marches on at Australian Open

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Rafael Nadal victorious

Rafael Nadal seemed to be in full working order as he brushed aside Michael Mmoh to reach the third round of the Australian Open.

The second seed was not troubled by the back problem which hindered his build-up in a 6-1, 6-4, 6-2 victory in an hour and 47 minutes against the American qualifier.

In fact his biggest inconvenience was a raucous spectator – who may have enjoyed a little too much of the Melbourne hospitality – delaying proceedings until she was escorted out by security.

Australian Open Tennis
Rafael Nadal’s ‘admirer’ is escorted out (Rick Rycroft/AP)

Asked if he knew the woman, Nadal said on court: “No, and honestly I don’t want to know!”

Nadal, who faces Britain’s Cameron Norrie in round three, added: “Tonight has been a positive feeling for me, winning in straight sets. For me I just have to focus on what’s coming next.”

Russian fourth seed Daniil Medvedev celebrated his 25th birthday by overcoming Spain’s Roberto Carballes Baena 6-2, 7-5, 6-1.

Elsewhere in the men’s draw Russian seventh seed Andrey Rublev reached the third round with a straight-sets win over Thiago Monteiro.

Rublev beat the Brazilian 6-4, 6-4, 7-6 (10-8) and will face 39-year-old Feliciano Lopez next after the Spaniard fought back to knock out Italy’s 31st seed Lorenzo Sonego 5-7, 3-6, 6-3, 7-5, 6-4.

Italian ninth seed Matteo Berrettini beat Czech qualifier Tomas Machac 6-3, 6-2, 4-6, 6-3 to set up a meeting with Russian 19th seed Karen Khachanov, who saw off Lithuania’s Ricardas Berankis in three sets.

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