Serbia's Novak Djokovic celebrates after defeating Canada's Denis Shapovalov in their ATP Cup match in Melbourne, Australia, Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2021.
(AP Photo/Hamish Blair)MELBOURNE ā Rafael Nadal didn't make it for Spain's ATP Cup opener because of a sore back, deciding it wasn't worth the risk a week ahead of the Australian Open.
Back at Melbourne Park, where he has won a record eight Australian Open titles, he had plenty of energy to feed off.
Osaka, who won the U.S. Open last year and the Australian Open in 2019, will next face No.
Two-time Australian Open quarterfinalist Tennys Sandgren also advanced, winning his first match since coming out of the hard lockdown.