Operation emulation as Nadal eyes slice of history

RAFAEL NADAL fired out a warning to his Australian Open rivals by beating Marin Cilic and then declaring himself back to full fitness.

The Spaniard, who is bidding to become the first man since Rod Laver in 1969 to hold all four grand slams simultaneously, set up a quarter-final against countryman David Ferrer after seeing off the big-serving Croatian 6-2 6-4 6-3.

Nadal looked out of sorts on Saturday night despite beating Bernard Tomic — sweating profusely as he struggled through – but cut a far more composed figure this evening as he offered Cilic few chances of an upset.