Melbourne Park was buzzing again during the Saturday day session as the remainder of the third round was played. And a couple of multiple grand slam champions were in the spotlight.

It was a matchup between experience and youth as Rafael Nadal met Alexander Zverev on Saturday afternoon. And after an epic and punishing 4 hours and six minutes, Nadal advanced with a 4-6, 6-3, 6-7. 6-3, 6-2 win.

Zverev showed no signs of nerves at the beginning of the match as he gained an early service break. Striking heavy groundstrokes, he fended off Nadal’s efforts to break back and held on to take the opening set.

In the second set, the Spaniard returned the favor gaining an early break as he took advantage of a letdown in the German’s play. Giving Zverev some different looks, Nadal forced a number of errors and dictated points as he moved him around.  The veteran would close out the set and even the match, on his racket.

The 19-year old settled down in the third set and the two players sparred without either making inroads. The pivotal set would be decided by a competitive tiebreak where both players raised their level of play. But it was Zverev who upped his level of aggressiveness, and on the heels of his huge backhand, he would take the breaker and a 2-1 lead in the match.

However, Nadal quickly became the aggressor in the fourth set and much like the second set jumped out to a lead.  Play became physical as Zverev fought to even it up, but Nadal fought him off, taking the set and he sent the match to a decisive fifth set.

It was a deflated-looking Zverev against a spirited Nadal at the beginning of the fifth set, and the 30-year old earned a quick break. But the teen would shake it off and fight back for his own break and the set became a grinder as each fought to hold serve. Then, in a crucial fifth game with many momentum changes, Nadal finally dug deep for another service break to take a 3-2 lead.

After the punishing game, Zverev came to the chair limping and was treated for an apparent cramp during the changeover. The effects became more noticeable as the set progressed. But the youngster fought tooth and nail despite the body blows that Nadal dealt. But in the end, the nine-seed was too much and he nailed down the victory. However, Zverev’s effort did not go unnoticed by the Rod Laver crowd as they gave him a huge ovation as he left the court.

Nadal gave his perspective afterward, “Everything is less difficult now,” he said. “It was a special night for me.”

Meanwhile, Serena Williams was back on Rod Laver arena where she faced fellow American Nicole Gibbs. Williams had too much firepower for Gibbs and rolled to a 6-1, 6-3 win.

Gibbs relied on her counter-punching and quickness on the court but Williams controlled the points with her power. And, though, it was not a great serving day for Serena, she did enough to maintain control as and she attacked her opponents serve, capitalizing on five of her eight break opportunities. Gibbs was only able to strike nine winners to her 21 unforced errors in the match.

Serena was thankful for the break in temperature from the extreme heat earlier in the week, “It's such a beautiful day today; it wasn't really hot,” Williams said. “I always try to take everyone super-serious and I'm always super-focused. It was really good to get this under my belt.”

In the next round, the world no.2 will face 16-seeded Barbora Strycova who defeated Caroline Garcia 6-2, 7-5 earlier.