Rafael Nadal refused to make any excuses after his record-equalling winning streak over Tomas Berdych came to a comprehensive end in the quarter-finals of the Australian Open on Tuesday. Berdych won three of his first four meetings with Nadal but had not tasted victory over the Spaniard since 2006, his 17 straight defeats equalling a record in the open era. However, the 29-year-old Czech picked the ideal time to end the sequence with a stunning 6-2, 6-0, 7-6 (7/5) victory on Rod Laver Arena and has yet to drop a set in the championship. VIDEO Scroll down Australian Open: Tomas Berdych beats Rafael Nadal 6-2, 6-0, 7-6
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Rafael Nadal was knocked out of the Australian Open by Tomas Berdych
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The Czech sealed a comprehensive 6-2, 6-0, 7-6 victory over the Spaniard
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Berdych's first win over Nadal since 2006 after 17 straight defeats previous
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Despite taking the third set to a tiebreak, @placeholder was unable to force his way back into the match