Spain’s Rafael Nadal through to Australian Open semis with straight sets win
News Line
Ukraine reports 5,276 new COVID-19 cases Zelensky: Every third Ukrainian considers road construction one of greatest achievements of 2021 Ukraine ready to implement Minsk agreements, but Russia's desire needed - Yermak Michel: EU unanimously agree to roll over economic sanctions against Russia Actions by Ukraine's partners will help prevent worst-case scenario - Zelensky COVID-19 in Ukraine: Health officials confirm 8,899 daily cases as of Dec 17 Macron tells Zelensky he declared support for Ukraine in call with Putin Zelensky, Scholz discuss gas transit through Ukraine after 2024 Ukraine ready for any format of talks with Russia - Zelensky Ukraine’s only journalist in Russia facing extremism charges - lawyer PM Shmyhal: First two applications for investment projects worth $96 million filed Zelensky, PM of Italy discuss security situation around Ukraine President signs off State Budget 2022 London considering all options for responding to Russia's aggression against Ukraine Putin, Biden to hold another round of talks Some 260,000 Ukrainians “victims of human trafficking” over 30 years - prosecutor general Ukraine plans to create center to protect energy infrastructure from cyber attacks No clear idea so far when Normandy Four top diplomats set to meet - German Ambassador Ukraine receives EUR 600M in macro-financial assistance from EU Zelensky holds phone conversation with PM of Israel Ukraine sets new daily COVID vaccination record MFA: European Union has not yet removed Ukraine from list of safe countries Kyiv records 1,023 new COVID-19 cases, 29 deaths G7 ambassadors welcome adoption of law on NABU status Ukraine can increase Covid vaccination rates to 1.5M a week – Liashko

Spanish tennis star Rafael Nadal defeated on Tuesday night Frances Tiafoe of the United States in the quarterfinals match of the 2019 Australian Open, which has $44.5 million in prize money up for grabs and runs between January 14 and 27.

The 32-year-old Spaniard, seeded 2nd at the tournament, stunned his unseeded 21-year-old US opponent with 6-3; 6-4; 6-2 straight sets win at the Rod Laver arena in the match that lasted 1 hour and 47 minutes.

Nadal won his sole Australian Open title ten years ago and the upcoming semifinal in Australia will be the 6th one in his career. The Spanish player holds the champion’s titles of 17 Grand Slam tournaments in men’s singles, which ranks him the second best in the history of tennis.

The semifinals opponent for Nadal is 14-seed Stefanos Tsitsipas from Greece, who knocked out from the tournament earlier in the day Spain’s Roberto Bautista Agut 7-5; 4-6; 6-4; 7-6 (7-2).

Nadal and Tsitsipas previously met twice with the Spanish player winning both of the encounters. Their most recent encounter was at the ATP tournament in Canada’s Toronto in 2018, when Nadal defeated his Greek opponent in the final 6-2; 5-4.