Objective accomplished. Rafael Nadal He is already among the 16 tennis players who will play for the title at Wimbledon in the round of 16 of the tournament. The road is still long to think about biting his third title at the All England Tennis Club in London, but this Saturday he has already worn tennis to also present his candidacy after getting rid of the Italian Lorenzo Sonego by 6-1, 6-2 and 6-4.
In 65 minutes and losing only three games Nadal The door to the Wimbledon round of 16 was already wide open. He entered the center ready not to waste time, after the marathon women’s matches that the Americans had previously played Amanda Anisimova Y Coco Gauff and then, Paula Badosa in view of Petra Kvitova.
Make that 308 Grand Slam match wins for @Rafael Nadal ​​​?​
He beats Lorenzo Sonego 6-1, 6-2, 6-4#Wimbledon | #CentreCourt100 pic.twitter.com/GanBJUhoYq
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 2, 2022
After completing the first two adaptation matches on the grass, Nadal wore his best tennis for the battles of the second week, when the title comes into play. Yes Novak Djokovic Y Carlos Alcaraz qualified by giving a tennis monologue, Nadal did not want to be less. Sonego I pay it.
Launched to triumph
Nadal He won the first set in 28 minutes, with three loveless games, a 100% effectiveness with his first serve and only four unforced errors, two of them two double faults in the only service with problems. The effectiveness was maintained in the second. He needed 38 minutes and gave up 2 games, with 7 unforced errors. Sonego He continued from one side of the court to the other, unable to respond to the harassment and determination of the Balearic tennis player.
The Italian tennis player, who had come out ready to give battle, looked at his box incredulouswithout knowing what was happening. So when, down 4-0, he managed to win a game with three good shots, he raised his arms in celebration and asked the crowd to cheer him on.
It was not enough. Nadal had put the direct. She was still intractable. With changes of pace, leg speed and spectacular blows that overwhelmed Sonego.
End, under roof
Nadal did not loosen He enjoyed being in the center back and if it took him a little longer to win the third set it was because, with the score at 4-2, he had to stop the game 12 minutes to close the roof and be able to turn on the lights, due to the lack of visibility, which the Balearic tennis player complained about.
Nothing to lose, Sonego took advantage of the change of scenery, to surprise Nadal and make the first ‘break’, in white, to equalize 4-4. Nadal reacted to make the ‘break’ immediately and close the game with his serve and two first services. Impeccable.
Kyrgios knocks down Tsitsipas
Nadal will face this Monday in the round of 16 against the Dutch tennis player Botic Van de Zanschulp (World 25) who beat the French Richard Gasquet by 7-5, 2-6, 7-6 (7) and 6-1.
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In the last duel of the day, meanwhile, Nick Kyrgios bent to Stefanos Tsitsipas in an intense battle in which the wayward Australian brought out his enormous talent to win 6-7(2), 6-4, 6-3, 7-6(7). An electric and controversial match in which Kyrgios asked for Tsitsipas to be disqualified for throwing the ball into the stands after giving up the second set.
“Are you stupid? How can he throw a ball into the stands, hit someone and not get disqualified? Does he have to get hurt to get disqualified?” he yelled. Kyrgios to chair umpire, the French Damian Dumusois. “If I do this… my God”, said the Australian, who has separated another candidate for the title in the lower area of the table where he is Nadal.