Nadal eases into second round at Wimbledon

LONDON: French Open champion Rafael Nadal was back in the old routine at Wimbledon as he moved into the second round with a 6-2, 6-4, 6-4 victory over Japan’s Kei Nishikori.

Nadal was in action at the All England Club for the first time since his thrilling victory over Roger Federer in the 2008 final and the Spaniard made up for lost time with a convincing start to his bid to regain the title.

“It’s great to be back at my favourite tournament. The crowd make me feel at home, they are always with me and it is a fantastic feeling,” said Nadal. “I love the grass. I did well in the last few years on this surface and I enjoy playing on this court a lot.”

Serena Williams also started the defence of her Wimbledon title with a straight sets win over Michelle Larcher de Brito despite a spirited fightback from the 17-year old. The American world number one defeated de Brito 6-0, 6-4 inside an hour and three minutes on Centre Court with an impressive display of power hitting.

Meanwhile, sister and five-time Wimbledon champion Venus also eased into the second round with a 6-3, 6-2 win over Paraguay’s Rossana De Los Rios. Justine Henin got off to a good start on her return to Wimbledon with a straight sets victory that put the Belgian through to the second round. Henin, who spent 20 months in retirement, brushed aside 20-year-old Latvian Anastasija Sevastova 6-4, 6-3.

India’s Sania Mirza slumped out of Wimbledon as Germany’s Angelique Kerber claimed a 6-4, 6-1 win in the first round.

Hewitt leads Australian charge

Lleyton Hewitt led the charge of the Australian players at Wimbledon, with big things expected of him and Sam Stosur this year. Hewitt, the 2002 Wimbledon men’s champion, came back from a set down to defeat Argentina’s Maximo Gonzalez 5-7, 6-0, 6-2, 6-2.

Djokovic through as well

Serbian third-seed Novak Djokovic dug deep to reach the second round with a gritty 4-6, 6-2, 3-6, 6-4, 6-2 victory over Belgium’s Olivier Rochus under the Centre Court lights. Djokovic’s match was finally completed late into the evening after the roof was closed to allow the floodlights to be switched on when darkness descended on the All England Club.

British fourth-seed Andy Murray advanced to the second round with a 7-5, 6-1, 6-2 win against  Czech Republic’s Jan Hajek,.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 23^rd, 2010.