Wimbledon: Rafael Nadal advanced to the third round of the Wimbledon Championships after overcoming another challenge on Thursday, while Iga Swiatek had to work hard for her victory.
After being pushed by Francisco Cerundolo in his first-round match on Tuesday, Nadal won four straight sets.
The 36-year-old will now face Lorenzo Sonego in the third round as he attempts to progress through the draw and win his 23rd Grand Slam title.
As a result, Nadal won his 307th Grand Slam match, one more than Martina Navratilova and fourth all-time. However, with more unforced errors than winners, his post-match assessment was candid.
“It’s important for me to accept that things are not yet perfect, be humble and accept the challenge,” he said.
“Every day is a challenge, all the opponents are difficult – we are playing the best players in the world.
“I didn’t play much on the grass in the last three years so every day is an opportunity to improve. I’m through and I’m very happy with that.
“I need to improve. But the fourth set was much better, a good level of tennis and the service worked better.”
On No 2 Court, Nick Kyrgios defeated the 26th seed and Queen’s Club finalist Filip Krajinovic 6-2 6-3 6-1 in less than 90 minutes.
The Australian dropped only nine points on serve and stated that he was playing with a point to prove for a variety of reasons.
“I guess just from a personal performance standpoint, my performance in my first round was just not where I wanted to be,” he noted.
“Especially with the way I’ve been playing and training, the hard work I’ve been putting in.” I was pretty dissatisfied with my performance in the first round.
“Then obviously the media’s disrespect and just everything, it was just kind of a reminder to put you all back in your place from the performance today.
“He made finals at Queen’s, top 30 in the world, seeded. It’s a gentle reminder.”
Kyrgios’ victory set up a mouthwatering third-round meeting with Greek fourth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas, who defeated Australia’s Jordan Thompson 6-2 6-3 7-5.
Brandon Nakashima of the United States defeated Denis Shapovalov, the 13th seed, 6-2 4-6 6-1 7-6. (8-6).
Last year, Shapovalov reached the All England Club semi-finals, but it was Nakashima’s day.
The 20-year-old, who is ranked 56th in the world, will face Daniel Elahi Galan in the next round. When Roberto Bautista Agut withdrew after testing positive for Covid-19, the Colombian advanced to the third round.
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