Rafael Nadal stormed into the third round of the Australian Open on Thursday with a 6-3, 6-1, 6-3 demolition of former finalist Marcos Baghdatis.
The 14-time Grand Slam champion has had two lean years at the majors but showed enough of the old passion and firepower in the two hour 13-minute clinic at the Rod Laver Arena to suggest he may yet go deep in the second week at Melbourne Park.
Cypriot Baghdatis, who had a fairytale run to reach the final in 2006, saved two match points but Nadal closed out the match in style with a forehand cross-court winner to raise a huge roar from the terraces.
Nadal will play Germany's Alexander Zverev in the next match.
(With inputs from Reuters)
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