MELBOURNE, Australia – Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer are taking similar paths to a potential semifinal matchup at the Australian Open.
A rematch of the women’s 2011 final is already in place, with defending champion Kim Clijsters and China’s Li Na winning Friday to set up a meeting in the fourth round.
Meanwhile, the last U.S. man fell out of the tournament when No. 16 John Isner lost to Spaniard Feliciano Lopez 6-3, 6-7 (3), 6-4, 6-7 (0), 6-1. It marks the first time since the start of the Open Era in 1968 that no American men have reached the fourth round at the Australian Open
Neither the four-time Australian champion Federer nor 2009 titleholder Nadal have dropped a set, although Federer’s path was made easier by a walkover win in the second round. They are in the same half of a Grand Slam singles draw for the first time since 2005.
The longtime rivals played back-to-back matches at Rod Laver Arena on Friday. Nadal, his right knee still taped from a recent injury, showed no problems while moving briskly around the court in a 6-2, 6-4, 6-2 win over qualifier Lukas Lacko.
Federer then edged Ivo Karlovic 7-6 (6), 7-5, 6-3, saving a set
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