Australian Open Day Six round-up: Rafael Nadal defeats a valiant Cameron Norrie to reach the last 16

Rafael Nadal was given his sternest test of the tournament so far as he defeated the last British singles player standing in Cameron Norrie via straight sets.

The Spaniard overcame Norrie 7-5, 6-2, 7-5 on Rod Laver Arena in two hours and 14 minutes.

The 20-time Grand Slam champion was forced to come from a break down in the first set before responding emphatically to finish the opening week without dropping a set.

The Spaniard will now prepare to face Fabio Fognini in the fourth round after he beat Australian Alex De Minaur impressively in straights sets.

The Italian is in fine form and will look to replicate his victory over Nadal at the US Open in 2015, where he became the first man to beat the Spaniard after losing the opening two sets.

Nadal spoke post-match about the challenge that lies ahead: ‘We have played a lot of times and he has beaten me a couple of times.

‘He came here after an injury, so he will be hungry to play well. It was a very impressive victory today against De Minaur. I saw it was in straight sets, so he will come into the match with plenty of confidence. I need to keep up the improvement.

‘You don’t expect an easy round in the round of 16. It is going to be a tough one. I need to be ready for it.’

Stefano Tsitsipas, Andrey Rublev and Matteo Berretini all also won in straight sets to confirm their place in week two of the tournament.

Meanwhile, Daniil Medvedev was pushed to five sets before eventually beating the 28th seed Filip Krajinovic.

The woman’s world No 1 Ashleigh Barty defeated Ekaterina Alexandrova in straight sets to continue her quest for a maiden Grand Slam on home soil.

Elina Svitolina and Elise Mertens also came through in straight sets to progress.

Karolina Pliskova was the main casualty in the women’s draw as she lost in straight-sets to fellow Czech player Karolina Muchova.

It was a day of mixed emotions in the men’s doubles for the British contingent as Dan Evans and the Skupski brothers all exited the tournament.

However, the duo of Dominic Inglot and Luke Bambridge as well as Joe Salisbury and his American partner Rajeev Ram progressed.

Jamie Murray was the only player in the mixed doubles representing Great Britain on day six, winning comfortably in straight sets with his partner Bethanie Mattek-Sands.