Sawt Falasteen - Nadal 'not perfect' but overcomes lapse to reach Wimbledon last 32

NYSE - LSE
RBGPF 1.12% 76.02 $
BCC -2.36% 67.92 $
CMSC -1.54% 19.5 $
RIO -2.03% 83.28 $
NGG 0.41% 83.6 $
CMSD -2.15% 19.51 $
RYCEF -3.64% 17.31 $
JRI -1.3% 11.56 $
GSK 0.08% 50.64 $
BCE -0.75% 21.35 $
BTI -0.02% 61.04 $
VOD -0.97% 15.49 $
AZN -0.6% 184.38 $
RELX -0.15% 40.04 $
BP 1.22% 45.82 $
Nadal 'not perfect' but overcomes lapse to reach Wimbledon last 32
Nadal 'not perfect' but overcomes lapse to reach Wimbledon last 32 / Photo: Adrian DENNIS - AFP

Nadal 'not perfect' but overcomes lapse to reach Wimbledon last 32

Rafael Nadal overcame another mid-match lapse to defeat Lithuania's Ricardas Berankis in four sets and reach the Wimbledon third round for the 11th time on Thursday.

Text size:

Two-time champion Nadal triumphed 6-4, 6-4, 4-6, 6-3 to see off his 106th-ranked opponent.

The Spaniard, who is bidding to add the Wimbledon title to his Australian and French Open victories, will tackle Italy's Lorenzo Sonego for a place in the last 16.

"Every day is a challenge," said Nadal, who is playing Wimbledon for the first time since making the semi-finals in 2019.

"Every day is a chance to improve and I need to improve.

"The fourth set was a better level. I was able to be more aggressive with my forehand. It's important to accept that things are not perfect. I need to keep working."

The 36-year-old was in control against Berankis until he dropped the third set, just as he did in his opener against Francisco Cerundolo.

However, he steadied the ship, racing into a 3-0 lead in the fourth set before play was held up for the Centre Court roof to close.

When the match resumed, he swept to victory, finishing with a flourish by hitting his 13th ace.

D.Qudsi--SF-PST