Tennis Update: Nadal overcomes five-setter to enter fourth round at Wimbledon
Spaniard Rafa Nadal overcame determined Philipp Petzchner to reach the last 16. Nadal was tested by German Petzchner, as the match took five sets to get to a conclusion. He even faced a warning from chair umpire. However, Wimbledon 2nd seed kept his juggernauts moving as he got passed Petzchner to reach the next round. Nadal won the match with the score of 6-4, 4-6, 6-7(5-7), 6-2 and 6-3.
This was the second time in three days that Nadal faced a 5 set match. 5 set matches were starting to take its toll on the Spaniard, as he lost his temper during the match. Petzchner’s crisp returns, brave net forays were enough for Spaniard to sweat in a sweltering Centre Court. Adding to Nadal’s frustration was the extraordinary call made by chair umpire Cedric Mourier. Nadal lost his temper in the final set and pointed finger towards Mourier, when he was called by the umpire for chatting with Coach Toni Nadal. He was issued a warning by Mourier. He later pledged to discuss the ruling with the tournament supervisor. Despite these happenings, World No.1 kept his focus to oust Petzchner in a match that took gruelling three hours and 45 minutes.
Roland Garros Champion Nadal started the match confidently, as he broke Petzchner in the opening set. This allowed the Spaniard to take 1-0 set lead. Petzchner fought back to secure the second set with the score of 6-4. He put further misery on 2008 Wimbledon Champion in third set as he took the set to tiebreak. Petzchner caught Nadal off guard to close third set and to take set lead. Nadal in his typical fashion came back in the match as he destroyed Petzchner’s serve in the fourth set. Despite Mourier calls in final set, Nadal kept his focus to win the final set and hence the match. 24-year-old Nadal will now face un-seeded Paul Henri Mathieu for a place in quarter-final. Mathieu defeated Thiemo de Bakker of Netherlands to reach last 16. He won the match with the score of 7-6(7-5), 7-6(8-6), 6-7(8-10) and 6-4.
On the other hand, British Andy Murray further increased the hopes of the home crowd with another clinical performance. He delighted the crowd present in the Centre Court, as he defeated French Gilles Simon to progress to the next round. He defeated the former top 10 player Simon in straight sets. He won the match with the score of 6-1, 6-4 and 6-4. The 23-year-old Scot showed no signs of being under pressure, as he gave Simon a lesson in tennis through relentless hitting from baseline. The last time any British player won Wimbledon was in 1936, when Fred Perry lifted the trophy. Since then no British player has made it farther than the semi-finals. Therefore, the weight of the nation’s expectation is on Murray’s shoulders to end men’s singles title drought.
Murray has been in phenomenal form in this year’s tournament, as he has not lost a single set yet. In addition, his performance clearly shows that he is unfazed by the burden of expectations. Murray will now face big-hitting Sam Querrey in the 4th round. Querrey is also in good form, as he won Queen’s Club grass court before the Wimbledon. Sam Querrey defeated Xavier Malisse of Belgium. 18th seed Querrey defeated the un-seeded Malisse with the score of 6-7(4-7), 6-4, 6-2, 6-7 and 9-7 to set his match with 4th seed Murray. If Murray and Nadal both overcome their opponents in 4th round and quarter final, then they could face each other in semi-final showdown.
Meanwhile, organisers slapped $15,000 fine on Romanian Victor Hanescu for unsportsmanlike behaviour. The 31st seed spat in the direction of the crowd before retiring in the deciding set. Hanescu was against Germany’s Daniel Brands. The fine will be deducted from his prize money. Additionally, 10th seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga of France defeated Tobias Kamke of Germany to reach 4th round. Tsonga defeated the qualifier Kamke with the score of 6-1, 6-4 and 7-6(7-1).
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