- Joined
- Apr 15, 2010
- Messages
- 212,768
- Likes
- 821
- Points
- 113
Rafael Nadal opened his Wimbledon title defense in convincing style Monday, shaking off an early service break and cruising to a 6-4, 6-2, 6-2 victory over Michael Russell.
In keeping with tradition, the defending men's champion played the first match on Centre Court at the All England Club -- and the top-ranked Spaniard put on a worthy performance to begin the 125th edition of the championships.
Nadal, coming off his sixth straight French Open title and 10th overall Grand Slam championship, double-faulted to go down a break 4-2 in the first set against the 91st-ranked Russell. But Nadal buckled down, ran off six straight games to take the set and go up a break in the second. He was in command the rest of the way against the 33-year-old American.
"I started so-so in the first set, but after that I start to hit very well the forehand and I think I finished playing a very good level," Nadal said.
Read more: http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/tennis/wimbledon11/news/story?id=6680288
In keeping with tradition, the defending men's champion played the first match on Centre Court at the All England Club -- and the top-ranked Spaniard put on a worthy performance to begin the 125th edition of the championships.
Nadal, coming off his sixth straight French Open title and 10th overall Grand Slam championship, double-faulted to go down a break 4-2 in the first set against the 91st-ranked Russell. But Nadal buckled down, ran off six straight games to take the set and go up a break in the second. He was in command the rest of the way against the 33-year-old American.
"I started so-so in the first set, but after that I start to hit very well the forehand and I think I finished playing a very good level," Nadal said.
Read more: http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/tennis/wimbledon11/news/story?id=6680288
