WATCH: Rafael Nadal bests Alexander Zverev in five-set Aussie classic

When the Australian Open draw came out last week, many pegged the potential third-rounder between Rafael Nadal and Alexander Zverev as the match to keep an eye on.

It lived up to all expectations, and then some.

In a battle of generations, Nadal bested Zverev, 4-6, 6-3, 6-7 (5), 6-3, 6-2, in a back-and-forth classic in Melbourne that last just over four hours.

The gets were remarkable, the shots were booming and the emotion that both players exhibited was palpable.

It was billed as the old guard (Nadal) vs. the Next Gen (Zverev), but any way you want to characterize it, this was, in its simplest form, a master class featuring two brilliant, determined tennis players.

Zverev started the match hot, taking the first set before Nadal leveled it at one apiece. At that point, you had a pretty good inkling that they would end up going the distance. When the 19-year-old won the third-set tiebreaker, Nadal looked to be in serious trouble.

But as we’ve been reminded time and time again after all these years, you can never count out the Spaniard. He responded by taking the fourth set and leveling the match again, and it’s hard to imagine that some doubt didn’t creep into the German’s head. Less than a year ago, in the only meeting between these two players in Indian Wells, Zverev had Nadal on the ropes before blowing a golden opportunity to beat him.

For the second time in as many meetings, Nadal would capitalize on Zverev’s inexperience and make him pay. Nadal and Zverev traded punishing blows in the fifth set, but the relentless veteran would break his opponent three times. When Zverev began to cramp up about midway through, it appeared to be all but over for the talented teenager. But despite being barely able to move, he hung in there and fought until the bitter end.

Ultimately, Nadal was just too strong, too determined … too good.

The 14-time Grand Slam champion moves on to the fourth round of the Australian Open, where he’ll face Gael Monfils in another must-see match.