Red-hot Rafa rumbles into third round

World No.1 Rafael Nadal has powered through to the round of 32 at the Australian Open, defeating Argentina's Leonardo Mayer in straight sets.

The 2009 champion again looked untroubled on Wednesday by his recent knee issues, claiming a 6-3 6-4 7-6 (7-4) victory in two hours and 38 minutes on Rod Laver Arena.

Channelling his early years with a sleeveless shirt, the muscular Mallorcan threw Mayer like a rag-doll around the Rod Laver Arena court for two hours and 38 minutes, pounding the world number 52 with a barrage of top-spin bombs.

Nadal was too good. Image: Getty

A masterful performance was blighted only by a late wobble, when Nadal was broken serving for the match at 5-4 in the decider.

But the Spaniard found an extra gear in the tiebreak, wrapping up the match with a monster serve to the corner that Mayer battled to get a racket to.

Nadal's bid for a 17th grand slam title continues against Bosnian 28th seed Damir Dzumhur, who beat Australia's John Millman in four sets.

with agencies