Nadal edges Zverev in five sets at Open

Rafael Nadal was pushed to the brink at the Australian Open before finally breaking German teen Alexander Zverev, dubbed the future of tennis "and the present too" by the Spanish ironman.

The ninth-seeded Nadal came from two sets to one down to win 4-6 6-3 6-7 (5-7) 6-3 6-2 in an epic third-round encounter which lasted four hours and six minutes on Saturday.

It sets up a mouth-watering clash in the round of 16 against French showman Gael Monfils, who ousted German Philipp Kohlschreiber 6-3 7-6 (7-1) 6-4.

After going toe to toe with Nadal for four and a half sets, the 19-year-old Zverev cramped up in the fifth game of the decider, with the Spaniard pouncing to claim a crucial break of serve.

"These kind of cramps are because of nerves too," said Nadal.

"I had these things in the past - it happens, but then it goes away.

"I know how these things works, so I was trying to be very focused on what I have to do to win the match."

Nadal said the key to the victory was "fighting and running a lot".

"Everybody knows how good Alexander is - he's the future of our sport and the present too," said the 30-year-old Nadal.

"He is a player that has an amazing potential.

"He is able to produce great shots.

"He's already one of the best players of the world and he can be even better.

"He can be fighting for the most important (titles) and I think he will do it."

Zverev said he would take plenty of positives from the match despite coming up just short.

"I think (Nadal) is probably one of the fittest tennis players in the history of the game," said the No.24 seed.

"Obviously I wanted to win. I could have won.

"It's disappointing. But I'm fine actually."

Zverev had butchered a match point before losing his only previous encounter against Nadal last year at Indian Wells.

He was bidding to join older brother Mischa in the fourth round at Melbourne Park, a feat only ever achieved by two sets of male siblings in the Open era - Gene and Sandy Mayer at Wimbledon in 1979 and Emilio and Javier Sanchez at the 1991 US Open.

Nadal will now turn his attention to the headline fourth-round encounter on Monday against Monfils, the world No.6.

"He's playing great," said Nadal.

"He had an amazing year last year and he's started the season again playing very well.

"It' going to be a big, big match, a very tough one and I need to play my best."