Rafael Nadal avenged his shock 2012 Wimbledon defeat to Lukas Rosol on Thursday with a tense and hard-fought 4-6, 7-6 (8/6), 6-4, 6-4 win over the big-hitting Czech. World number one Nadal did it the hard way, however, dropping the first set and then trailing 2-4 in the second before having to save a set point in the tiebreaker. But the 2008 and 2010 champion, who lost in the first round to Steve Darcis in 2013, wrapped up a place in the third round for the first time since 2011 on a third match point. His mighty roar at the moment of victory spoke volumes. Nadal next plays Mikhail Kukushkin of Kazakhstan.
Meanwhile, Serena Williams handed South Africa’s Chanelle Scheepers a Wimbledon masterclass as the five-time champion raced into the third round with a 6-1, 6-1 victory on Thursday. Top seed Williams needed only an hour to dismiss Anna Tatishvili in the first round and the world number one was even more ruthless against Scheepers, crushing her in 49 minutes to set up a last 32 meeting with French 25th seed Alize Cornet. The 32-year-old had seethed over her shock first round exit against Garbine Muguruza at the French Open last month and appears intention on taking out those frustrations on her Wimbledon opponents. Serena, a 17-time Grand Slam champion, overwhelmed Scheepers with 26 winners, compared to five from the world number 94, and eight aces. Williams admitted being expected to rout lower ranked opponents like Scheepers can sometimes be a burden, but she is thriving despite the pressure of her status as tournament favourite.
‘It’s been like that for the past two or three years. I am always the favourite and that can be a bit of pressure, but it’s ok. I have learnt to deal with it,’ Serena said. Williams also revealed she was relieved to have avoided any more embarrassing tumbles on the slick grasscourt after falling into the crowd during her doubles match with sister Venus on Wednesday night. ‘I was out really late in a fun doubles match last night with Venus. Some wonderful gents caught me as I fell into the crowd, It was so embarrassing, I just had to laugh,’ she added.
Meanwhile, Serena Williams handed South Africa’s Chanelle Scheepers a Wimbledon masterclass as the five-time champion raced into the third round with a 6-1, 6-1 victory on Thursday. Top seed Williams needed only an hour to dismiss Anna Tatishvili in the first round and the world number one was even more ruthless against Scheepers, crushing her in 49 minutes to set up a last 32 meeting with French 25th seed Alize Cornet. The 32-year-old had seethed over her shock first round exit against Garbine Muguruza at the French Open last month and appears intention on taking out those frustrations on her Wimbledon opponents. Serena, a 17-time Grand Slam champion, overwhelmed Scheepers with 26 winners, compared to five from the world number 94, and eight aces. Williams admitted being expected to rout lower ranked opponents like Scheepers can sometimes be a burden, but she is thriving despite the pressure of her status as tournament favourite.
‘It’s been like that for the past two or three years. I am always the favourite and that can be a bit of pressure, but it’s ok. I have learnt to deal with it,’ Serena said. Williams also revealed she was relieved to have avoided any more embarrassing tumbles on the slick grasscourt after falling into the crowd during her doubles match with sister Venus on Wednesday night. ‘I was out really late in a fun doubles match last night with Venus. Some wonderful gents caught me as I fell into the crowd, It was so embarrassing, I just had to laugh,’ she added.