Resurgent Nadal fends off Zverev to reach Oz Open pre-quarters

14-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal staged a magnificent comeback as he defeated rising German star Alexander Zverev in a five-set thriller to enter the fourth round of the Australian Open here on Saturday.

The 30-year-old, who last won a Grand Slam title in 2014, held off a fierce challenge from Zverev to post a 4-6, 6-3, 6-7 (5-7), 6-3, 6-2 win in a third-round clash that lasted four hours and six minutes on Rod Laver Arena.

It was Nadal's 18th win in 26 five-set matches and set him up for a next clash against French sixth seed Gael Monfils, who reached the last-16 after registering a 6-3, 7-6 (7-1), 6-4 win over Philipp Kohlschreiber of Germany.

Nadal is currently bidding to win his second Australian Open after beating Roger Federer in the 2009 final.

In another men's singles clash, third-seed Milos Raonic of Canada also booked his place in the pre-quarterfinals of the first major of the season after prevailing France's Gilles Simon 6-2, 7-6 (7-5), 3-6, 6-3.

Raonic will next lock horns with Roberto Bautista Agut of Spain.