The 22nd seeded Frances Tiafoe of the USA needed 3 hours and 34 minutes on court between Nadal 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 and 6-3 to advance to the quarter-finals of the Grand Slam.

Following his win Tiafoe said he now has something to tell his grandkids.

“I played really well today,” said Tiafoe.

“I just came out there and I believed that I can do it. It helps that I've played against him a couple of times, but we haven't played in a couple of years.

“Now I'm a different person and a different player. I tried to go out there and get it done, and that's what I did.

“I also wondered if I'm ever going to beat one of them (Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer), and today I was like 'nah, I'm going to do that'.

“So, now I can tell kids and the grandkids that I beat Rafa. Hopefully I never get to play him again.

“When I first came on the scene, I felt like a lot of people had a lot of expectations on me on how I would do.

“I wasn’t ready for it mentally. I wasn’t mature enough for it. These past couple of years, when the tension hasn’t been on me, I have been able to develop.

“I have a great team behind me. I am just putting my head down and I am happy with where I am in life in general. I am able to do me and do it my way and enjoy the game I love.”

Meanwhile, in the women's singles, Aryna Sabalenka beat Danielle Collins 3-6, 6-3 and 6-2, Jessica Pegula beat Petra Kvitova 6-3 and 6-2, while Iga Swiatek beat Jule Niemeier 6-2, 6-4 and 6-0.

Morgan Piek OFM Sport