Rafael Nadal: 'It was my best display of the tournament'

Rafael Nadal believes that he produced his best display of the tournament as he beat Kevin Anderson in straight sets to advance to the quarter-finals of the Australian Open.

Nadal was forced to save three break points in the first set, which proved to be the turning point in the match as he found his form to power past the South African with a dominating performance in the second and third.

He told reporters after the game: "It's special for me to get to the quarter-final following a tough period in my life. I'm very happy with the way I played today, it was my best match here and it was important for me to find my form.

"Kevin is a fantastic player. We've known each other since we were kids. The important thing, we're still smiling after 16 years"

The number three seed will play Tomas Berdych in the last eight of the competition.