Australian Open: Nadal battles into third round

Second seeded Rafael Nadal crushed down Philipp Kohlschreiber of Germany 7-5, 6-3, 4-6, 6-2 in a tough match in the Australian Open's second round on Thursday January 18, 2007 in Melbourne. The 23-year-old world number 61 pressurized Nadal to work extremely hard before the Spaniard could seal the victory on his second match point in three and a half hours.

Nadal appeared to be heading for a speedy finish at the end of two sets in quest of a first Australian Open title, but Kohlschreiber fought back to take the third set as both players battled to hold serve. 

Nadal was stunned briefly due to this hit but overcame the knockdown and advanced to the third round with 31st-seeded Stanislas Wawrinka of Switzerland.