Nadal laughs off heckler; Kenin’s title defence end in tears

Rafael Nadal laughed off a gesticulating heckler as he brushed aside Michael Mmoh and continued his quest for history at the Australian Open on Thursday. On a day when defending women’s champion Sofia Kenin departed in tears, but top-ranked Ashleigh Barty progressed, Nadal was impeccable on Rod Laver Arena. Teenager Coco Gauff, 16, who beat […]

Rafael Nadal laughed off a gesticulating heckler as he brushed aside Michael Mmoh and continued his quest for history at the Australian Open on Thursday.

On a day when defending women’s champion Sofia Kenin departed in tears, but top-ranked Ashleigh Barty progressed, Nadal was impeccable on Rod Laver Arena.

Teenager Coco Gauff, 16, who beat Naomi Osaka to reach the fourth round last year, saw her challenge ended by Elina Svitolina. But Nadal, who has complained of a bad back as he seeks a record 21st Grand Slam title, swept past America’s 177th-ranked Mmoh 6-1, 6-4, 6-2.