Reuters
Rafael Nadal is in third round action
Australian Open 2018: Nadal v Dzumhur LIVE updates
Nadal 6-1 6-3 5-1 Dzumhur*
The first hawk eye challenge gives Nadal a look at Dzumhur’s second serve and he wins the point to earn a break opportunity which he takes.
Nadal will serve for the match.
*Nadal 6-1 6-3 4-1 Dzumhur
Another convincing hold of serve for Nadal.
Nadal 6-1 6-3 3-1 Dzumhur*
Despite a two set and a break lead, Nadal is still frustrated when he makes a mistake. Just relentless intensity.
Dzumhur goes 40-0 in front but has to save a break point with a great lob over Nadal.
And he eventually holds to stay in the match.
*Nadal 6-1 6-3 3-0 Dzumhur
Good serving from Nadal maintains his lead and he’s now just three games away from the fourth round.
Nadal 6-1 6-3 2-0 Dzumhur*
Two unforced errors open the door for Nadal again on Dzumhur’s serve and he moves to 15-40.
Dzumhur saves the first with a nice angled volley and then the second with an inside-out forehand winner.
A double fourth fault gives Nadal his third chance to break and he takes it.
*Nadal 6-1 6-3 1-0 Dzumhur
Dzumhur’s tactic of blocking Nadal’s serve back isn’t really working as it leaves the ball short for Nadal to attack from.
The Bosnian does get to deuce though and earns another break point chance but is unable to convert.
More terrific play from Dzumhurl keeps the Bosnian in the game but Nadal manages to eventually escape.
SECOND SET
Nadal 6-1 6-3 Dzumhur*
Vintage Nadal as he hits a blistering forehand winner and after moving to 15-40, the world number one takes a two-set lead.
*Nadal 6-1 5-3 Dzumhur
Dzumhur is in the game and he knows it but unforced errors are derailing his hopes.
And despite some pressure, Nadal moves to within one game of a two-set lead.
Reuters
Rafael Nadal hits a serve against Damir Dzumhur
Nadal 6-1 4-3 Dzumhur*
Brilliant from Dzumhur as he stretches to reach Nadal’s ferocious forehand and hits a squash style shot into the open court.
Then a loose dropshot from Nadal gives his opponent the game.
*Nadal 6-1 4-2 Dzumhur
A much better contest now between Nadal and Dzumhur.
But Nadal is back on track and in control.
Nadal 6-1 3-2 Dzumhur*
Dzumhur is battling much better in this second set but a fourth double fault sees him slip to 0-40.
A forehand winner saves the first break point but he can’t save the second.
Nadal back in front.
*Nadal 6-1 2-2 Dzumhur
Every time Dzumhur leaves the ball short, he gets instantly punished by Nadal.
But for the first time on Nadal’s serve, the game goes to deuce.
And Dzumhur earns his first break point and he takes it when his backhand down the line is too hot for Nadal to handle.
Do we have a game on?
Nadal 6-1 2-1 Dzumhur*
Nice dropshot from Dzumhur to open the game and he gets three game points.
But after losing the first two points, he gets on the board in the second set.
*Nadal 6-1 2-0 Dzumhur
The mistakes are mounting up for Dzumhur and Nadal is in no mood to mess around.
He holds serve without losing a point.
Nadal 6-1 1-0 Dzumhur*
Dzumhur will have been hoping for a better start to the second set but alas no.
No mercy from Nadal as he bludgeons his way to another break point.
Dzumhur saves the first but double faults handing Nadal another chance.
Nadal manufactures another with a flashing backhand return but Dzumhur then hits an ace.
Another error by Dzumhur gives Nadal his third break point and this time he can’t save himself as he strikes a forehand wide.
FIRST SET
*Nadal 6-1 Dzumhur
But any happiness for Dzumhur is shortlived as Nadal gives himself set points.
And after 22 minutes, another forehand winner gives Nadal the opening set.
Brutal stuff.
Nadal 5-1 Dzumhur*
Dzumhur gets to 30-30 on his serve for the first time but faces another break point which he saves with a stunning forehand down the line.
And the Bosnian finally gets up and running as Nadal goes long with a backhand.
Credit to the Australian fans who give Dzumhur a big ovation.
*Nadal 5-0 Dzumhur
It’s been a masterclass from Nadal so far with his devastating forehand bossing the rallies.
A bagel set looks imminent.
Nadal 4-0 Dzumhur*
Dzumhur looks overawed by the occasion at the moment, as he struggles to cope with Nadal’s aggressive start.
Nadal gets three break points and breaks serve again with a flashing forehand cross-court return.
*Nadal 3-0 Dzumhur
Nadal is just dancing on the baseline as he moves Dzumhur all over the court before finishing into the open space.
The Spaniard catches the line with his first serve at 40-0 and races into 3-0 lead after eight minutes.
EPA
Rafael Nadal celebrates after winning his second round match against Leonardo Mayer
Nadal 2-0 Dzumhur*
Dzumhur falls to 15-40 down with a couple of wayward shots and lovely flick at the net by Nadal.
And Nadal breaks serve at the first time of asking after another Dzumhur error.
Ominous start.
*Nadal 1-0 Dzumhur
Nadal holds serve to 15 as a deft finish at the net wins him the opening game.
8:15: The players are ready and Nadal will serve first
8:08: Despite being a past Australian Open champion and world number one, Nadal doesn’t get to be on the main show court in Melbourne.
That honour goes to Nick Kyrgios and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, which should be a terrific match on Rod Laver Arena.
8:05: Nadal and Dzumhur have walked onto Margaret Court Arena. Yes, you heard me the Margaret Court Arena.
7:50: Dzumhur had been nursing a knee problem prior to the tournament but has got through his first two matches.
And despite being the underdog, the 25-year-old says he won’t be raising the white flag.
He said: “I don’t want to enter the match with a white flag — I want to enjoy and to try to do something.
“This is a big thing — I’m (set to be) playing against the best player in the world at the moment — on the biggest tennis court in Australia — at the first Grand Slam of the season. I hope I will give my best.
“Honestly I hope I will recover as much as I can and go for a big result against Nadal.”
07:40: Speaking after his win over Leonardo Mayer in the second round, Nadal said he was expecting a tough night.
He said: “Damir has made a lot of progress since our last match.
“He is a tough opponent and he is playing tennis very well. The only way to win is to play a stronger rhythm than him and to be more aggressive.
“That’s what I’m going to do.”
7:30: Good morning and welcome to live coverage of Rafael Nadal’s Australian Open third round clash with Damir Dzumhur.
Nadal, the world number one, has eased through his opening two matches but could face a tough match against the 28th seed from Bosnia.
Perhaps surprisingly, Dzumhur holds a winning record over Nadal.
Their first and only meeting came at the ATP Masters in Miami in 2016 when Nadal was forced to retire in the third set.
The players will walk onto court at 8pm with play expected to begin at around 8.10pm.