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Top 5 Photos, 1/25: Monfils moves on; Nadal dominates

By Jordaan Sanford

The action doesn't seem to be letting up anytime soon in Melbourne. More matches went the distance while some took care of business by posting straight set victories. These are the Top 5 photos from Day 6 of the Australian Open.* (All photos Getty Images.)*

1

Winning 78 percent of points on his first serve propelled Gael Monfils to a 7-6 (2), 6-4, 6-3 victory over Ernests Gulbis. The Frenchman will next face Dominic Thiem, who he lost to in all five of their previous matchups.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 25: Gael Monfils of France reacts during his Men's Singles third round match against Ernests Gulbis of Latvia on day six of the 2020 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 25, 2020 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)
© Getty Images

2

Rafael Nadal was absolutely ruthless against fellow Spaniard Pablo Carreno Busta. Nadal posted a 6-1, 6-2, 6-4 to advance into the second week in Melbourne and inch closer to capturing a 20th Grand Slam.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 25: Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates after winning his Men's Singles third round match against Pablo Carreno Busta of Spain on day six of the 2020 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 25, 2020 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
© Getty Images

3

Simona Halep said the key for her to go far in Melbourne is her serve. On Saturday, it was the Romanian's serve that led her to defeating Yulia Putintseva 6-1, 6-4. Halep only lost nine points on her first serve and has yet to lose a set in Melbourne thus far.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 25: Simona Halep of Romania serves during her Women's Singles third round match against Yulia Putintseva of Kazakhstan on day six of the 2020 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 25, 2020 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
© Getty Images

4

"That's definitely one of the best wins of my career, I think," Nick Kyrgios said, in his on-court interview. The Aussie ignited his home crowd by fighting past Karen Khachanov, 6-2, 7-6 (5), 6-7 (6), 6-7 (7), 7-6 (8), to advance to the second week. He'll face Nadal on Sunday.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 25: Nick Kyrgios of Australia celebrates after winning his Men's Singles third round match against Karen Khachanov of Russia on day six of the 2020 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 25, 2020 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Jonathan DiMaggio/Getty Images)
© Getty Images

5

In 49 minutes, Anett Kontaveit was walking to the net to shake hands with Belinda Bencic. The 24-year-old stopped Bencic in her tracks by posting a devastating 6-0, 6-1 score. Kontaveit will battle teenager Iga Swiatek for a spot in the quarterfinals.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 25: Anett Kontaveit of Estonia celebrates after winning match point during her Women's Singles third round match against Belinda Bencic of Switzerland on day six of the 2020 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 25, 2020 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)
© Getty Images