Rafael Nadal books place in Australian Open quarter-finals after straight sets win over Feliciano Lopez And with Nadal's serve, particularly early on, offering nothing, it was always going to be an uphill task for the 30-year-old. Nadal dropped just four points on serve in the opening set and a solitary break in the third game - secured via a Lopez double-fault - proved decisive. The second was at least more competitive as Lopez cancelled out an early break to level at 2-2. And when Nadal threatened again in game five, it seemed as though Lopez realised a more attacking approach was required as he charged the net to avert the danger. However, he retreated backwards once more and was made to pay as 10-time grand slam champion Nadal broke for 4-3, capitalising on a poor Lopez volley. From two sets down it looked a long way back for Lopez and so it proved as two more breaks settled it. "It was a very hot day and so it is positive for me to keep winning in straight sets, especially in these conditions," Nadal said. I did what I had to do to win in straight sets. Nadal will play Tomas Berdych in Tuesday's quarter-final.