Australian Open: Rafael Nadal Wipes Sweat From Brow After Feeling Ill

Lauren LynchJan 24, 2011

The fourth round was no sweat for Rafael Nadal. But has anyone noticed he has been sweating more than usual and his dry-fit shirt looks more like it is made out of satin?

Nadal registered his 25th consecutive Grand Slam match victory with a straight-sets sweep of Marin Cilic and announced he's feeling better after a bout with flu-like symptoms.

"I'm not sweating as much. I feel better," said Nadal, who continues his quest to make history as the first man since Rod Laver in 1969 to win four consecutive major titles.

Before beating Cilic, Nadal admitted he was still suffering a bit from illness he contracted at the start of the season and was making frequent shirt changes during his matches.

“In Doha, I had that problem. I wasn't feeling very well. Have fever and these things,” Nadal said. “Seems like after that my body is still not perfect. I am sweating more than usual. I am more tired than usual when I'm playing.”

The top-seeded Spaniard will face seventh-seeded compatriot David Ferrer for a place in the final four.

Ferrer ended the run of Canadian phenom Milos Raonic with a four-set win.

Though Nadal has dominated his head to head series with Ferrer, his Davis Cup teammate is the only man to ever lose the opening set to Nadal in a major and come back to win the match. Nadal has won 110 of 111 Grand Slam matches after winning the opening set.