Nerves tested, but Nadal gets his revenge
Spaniard steadies after almost going two sets down to Rosol, his shock victor two years ago
Rafael Nadal was a point away from falling behind by two sets before rallying yesterday to beat Lukas Rosol, the Czech player who knocked him out at Wimbledon in the same round and on the same court two years ago.
The world No 1, a two-time Wimbledon champion, responded just in time to avoid falling into a deep hole, rallying for a 4-6, 7-6 (6), 6-4, 6-4 win on Centre Court to advance to the third round.
Hard-hitting Rosol could have gone up two sets to love when he had a set point in the second-set tiebreaker. But Nadal saved it with a forehand winner and Rosol double-faulted two points later to give the Spaniard the set.
That turnaround gave Nadal the momentum and he dominated play the rest of the way.
I saved a set point in the tiebreaker which was very important because to be two sets down to a big server like Rosol would have been very dangerous
"I just wanted to keep fighting and wait for my moment; I tried to keep fighting and waited for my moment," said Nadal, who dropped the first set for the second time in two matches at this year's Wimbledon.