The Spanish Rafael Nadal, second favourite, advanced to the round of 16 at Wimbledon, the third Grand Slam of the year, by beating Italian Lorenzo Sonego, 6-1, 6-2, 6-4, without major complications. Nadal, 36, who has just consecrated himself at Roland Garros and in the first round on the English lawn won a very tough match against Argentine Francisco Cerúndolo, seeks to reach a final that has eluded him since 2011, when he lost to Serbian Novak Djokovic. His next rival will be Dutchman Botic Van de Zandschulp (seeded 21), who beat Frenchman Richard Gasquet 7-5, 2-6, 7-6 (9-7), 6-1.
The surprise of the day was provided by the Greek Stefano Tsisipas (4), who fell to the Australian Nick Kyrgios 6-7 (2-7), 6-3, 6-3 and 7-6 (9-7) in a very hot duel in which hellenic was about to be disqualified for throwing a ball into the public. “He constantly harasses. He intimidates his rivals. He was probably a bully at school too. He has a very evil side,” Tsitsipas shot about the Australian’s behavior on the court.
In other results, Christian Garín became the first Chilean player to qualify more than once for the second week at Wimbledon by beating American Jenson Brooksby in four sets: 6-2, 6-3, 1-6 and 6-4 . Australian Alex de Minaur (19), meanwhile, beat local Liam Brody 6-3, 6-4, 7-5; American Brandon Nakashima beat Colombian Daniel Galán 6-4, 6-4, 6-1; and fellow American Taylor Fritz eliminated Slovakian Alex Molcan 6-4, 6-1, 7-6 (7-3).
Djokovic (winner of Wimbledon six times), the Dutchman Tim van Rijthoven (104), the Spanish Carlos Alcaraz (7) and the Italian Jannik Sinner (13) were already in the second round. Also the Belgian David Goffin (58), the Americans Frances Tiafoe (28), Tommy Paul (32) and Jack Sock (103), the Australian Jason Kubler (99) and the British Cameron Norrie (12).
