17:05
Berankis-Nadal: 0-1
Berankis then reported impressively into the game with a direct return winner, but then didn’t have much to say anymore. Nadal hits his first ace on the court and a little later uses his first game ball to make it 1-0.
17:02
Berankis – Nadal: 0-0
Here we go! Rafael Nadal serves first and immediately takes the first point after a return error from Ričardas Berankis.
16:58
It’s about to start
In the meantime, the two main actors have gone onto the court to the cheers of the audience and started the warm-up. In a few moments, this second round match between Rafael Nadal and Ričardas Berankis can begin!
16:52
Berankis makes you sit up and take notice
Ričardas Berankis, like Nadal, did not play a preparatory tournament on grass either, but still made an impressive start. The Lithuanian won in three sets against the American Sam Querrey, who was already in the semifinals here in Wimbledon. Berankis, once number 50 in the world, has now slipped to position 106 and has a quarterfinal at the ATP tournament in Dubai as the biggest success of the current season. Even if he is a clear outsider, he is really looking forward to his second duel with Nadal and his first center court match in Wimbledon. “England, grass, tennis started here. It’s a very special feeling. Playing against a top player like Rafa here is a dream come true,” said Berankis.
16:44
Difficult start
In his first match since winning the French Open final three weeks ago, Rafael Nadal had to fight hard on Tuesday. Only after more than three and a half hours was he able to defeat Argentinian Francisco Cerúndolo in four sets. Afterwards he was satisfied despite some wobbles. “I haven’t set foot on a grass pitch for three years for various reasons. Victory today is the most important thing, it gives me the opportunity to train again tomorrow,” said Nadal, who is suffering from chronic illnesses caused by Müller-Weiss syndrome foot pain in the run-up to the tournament with a special radio frequency therapy and says he is fit on the road.
16:36
Nadal keeps chasing records
With his 22nd Grand Slam title, Rafael Nadal recently secured the next entry in the tennis history books in Paris. Here in London he has now celebrated his 306th victory in a major tournament, and at the age of 36 the Spaniard is again on the Grand Slam course. The “Matador von Manacor” had already won in Australia at the beginning of the year. If Nadal could also triumph at Wimbledon for the first time since 2009, he would keep the chance open to complete the perfect season at the US Open.
16:35
Warm welcome
Hello and welcome to Rafael Nadal’s second appearance at the 2022 Wimbledon Championships! The Spanish record Grand Slam champion has to deal with the Lithuanian Ričardas Berankis in round two on the Center Court.