Nadal keeps pace at Wimbledon
June 28th 2008 22:55
Nadal was challenged but emerged victorious
Spaniard Rafael Nadal grows in confidence as the world No.2 dispatched German Nicolas Kiefer in straight sets (7-6, 6-2 y 6-3), accelerating to the fourth round of Wimbledon.
The four time French Open champion stood firm after an early tussle with Kiefer but then took control of proceedings as Nadal outlasted the German in two hours and 22 minutes.
The Mallorcan, and recent king of Roland Garros, will now face the winner of the third round matchup between Russian, Mijail Youzhny and Czech, Radek Stepanek.
In all theory, Nadal's progression was never in doubt.
Despite needing over an hour to take the first set, Nadal always looked in control against an opponent who loves playing up tempo.
Althought there were some bright moments for Kiefer, the German himself needed to seize the small window of opportunity given to him against the world No.2.
Serving strongly, Kiefer has always been a man of effort and determination. Against Nadal though, the German needed more to cause the unlikely upset.
After smashing 13 aces, Kiefer grew in confidence and forced the first set into a tiebreak. From then on, Nadal took control and never looked headed. Kiefer lost his moment of clarity and went down 7-3, first set over.
Like the true aura of dominace he has, Nadal strangled the German out of the contest. Despite the work that went in the first set, the Spaniard played true in the toughest of moments to destroy any hope of Kiefer causing an upset.
Kiefer for one moment looked to have held his own. Nadal was pressured but found true form to eventually take all momentum and hope from the German.
From there, all eventuality came to the fore. Nadal cruised through the third set, breaking early to take a 3-0 lead. Nadal was in control and shut out the game 6-1.
Kiefer exits Wimbledon at the hands of a Spaniard with the world at his feet. When Federer's aura has languished, Nadal will accept the crown.
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