Nadal digs deep to avoid Australian Open upset

Third seed Rafael Nadal overcame illness and an inspired opponent to avoid a shock defeat in the second round of the Australian Open on Wednesday.

Third seed Rafael Nadal overcame illness and an inspired opponent to avoid a shock defeat in the second round of the Australian Open on Wednesday.

Nadal has never lost to a qualifier in a grand slam but looked on course to suffer that fate at the hands of American Tim Smyczek, the world number 112, on Rod Laver Arena.

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