Nadal awesome as title contenders fire

Rafael Nadal put on an awesome performance to reach the Australian Open last 16 today and Roger Federer and Andy Murray also hit top gear as the title race began to narrow.
With Victoria Azarenka a class apart in her third-round win, Nadal stormed past France's Gael Monfils 6-1, 6-2, 6-3 to underline his challenge to Novak Djokovic's three-year Melbourne reign.
Federer was typically fluent in his 6-2, 6-2, 6-3 win against Teymuraz Gabashvili and Murray, continuing his strong recovery from back surgery, was a convincing winner over Feliciano Lopez.
With sharply cooling temperatures bringing an abrupt end to four days of 40 Celsius (104 Fahrenheit), there was a businesslike feel as the men's and women's contenders set about reaching week two.

Federer said his Grand Slam struggles last year, when he fell early at Wimbledon and the US Open, were past him as he dismantled Russia's Gabashvili, the world number 79.
"It was a tough year last year and it took some time to figure out what I needed to do to feel better and to get my confidence back, because that's what I thought it was mostly," said Federer, seeded six.

"For the last four to five months I feel that I'm back to normal again and at least I feel I've done the work to catch up and haven't had any setbacks, so it's very positive."

Murray gave a brief scare when he clutched his back in the first set but he moved unhindered thereafter to win 7-6 (7/2), 6-4, 6-2 and move into the round of 16 without dropping a set.
"Today was a big step up for me. Feliciano is a top-30 player. He's a tricky opponent to play," Murray said.
In the evening session, Nadal was superior in all departments to the entertaining but inconsistent Monfils, winning in just over two hours.
Nadal will next face Japanese number one Kei Nishikori, who reeled off the last 10 games against Donald Young to end American interest in the men's competition.