Rafael Nadal

Rafael Nadal cruised into the last 16 of Wimbledon with a 6-1 6-2 6-4 victory over Lorenzo Sonego on Centre Court.

Last year he made the fourth round and this year he got a good result again so I think he’s got a great future here." I think he’s a great player here on grass. From the bottom of my heart I didn’t mean it in a negative way. "I feel very sorry if I bothered him. "I have been able to raise my level a lot [so I’m] super happy about that. The 36-year-old set the tone for the match with a venomous backhand and a couple of volleys as he held to love in consecutive service games, breaking his opponent in just the third game after Sonego overhit a forehand.

Rafael Nadal made light work of Lorenzo Sonego 6-1, 6-2, 6-4 to keep his bid for a third Wimbledon title well and truly on track.

Nobody is betting against a 60th meeting between the 35-year-old Serb and his old Spanish friend in the final here next weekend. It will be immensely difficult on the fast-wearing Wimbledon grass, where he has won only twice, in 2008 and 2010 – and he was out for four months last year hobbling into the Australian Open in January unsure if he could even finish the fortnight. Nadal did not hide his frustration before breaking back and serving out the match in a little over two hours.

Rafael Nadal apologised to opponent Lorenzo Sonego after a heated discussion at the net following the Spaniard's three-set Centre Court win.

You can select 'Manage settings' for more information and to manage your choices. You can change your choices at any time by visiting Your Privacy Controls. Find out more about how we use your information in our Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy. Click here to find out more about our partners. - Information about your device and internet connection, including your IP address

The 22-time Grand Slam champion beat the Italian player on Centre Court. "It's been my best match at the championship so far, against the most difficult player ...

I should not call him on the net," Nadal said after the match. After that, there are other things during the match I do not what to comment as we have talked in the locker room. "So I apologize for that. And then exchanged further words after Nadal served out the match. "It's been my best match at the championship so far, against the most difficult player I've faced at this level," Nadal told the crowd after the match. I have to say I was wrong.

Rafael Nadal, a 22-time Grand Slam champion, said Ricardas Berankis was not an easy opponent and admitted he needs to improve if he wants to go far at ...

Kenny Ducey continued by describing the challenging opposition Nadal will encounter if he advances to the quarterfinals. I think there was a good level of tennis in that fourth set. Down two sets, Berankis began the third set with a break and then held serve for the rest of the set to force a fourth set. "Every day is a challenge, that's the truth. But I think the fourth set was much better. Nadal also struggled in his Wimbledon debut, as he needed four sets to beat Francisco Cerundolo.

The Spaniard made it to the second week after a routine straight-sets win, but the match was overshadowed by their long dialogue at the net late in the ...

Just to tell (him) one thing that was bothering me that I think he was doing in that moment, but that’s it. “I have to say that I was wrong. I apologise for that. I should not (have) called him to the net. That ticking off was followed up by another lengthy exchange at the net once Nadal had wrapped up the win, with a visibly upset Sonego trying to understand exactly what he had done wrong. Playing Rafael Nadal on clay is considered to be one of the most frustrating challenges in tennis.

The highest seed left in Nadal's side of the Wimbledon draw is Taylor Fritz, although Nick Kyrgios could be a potential semi-final opponent.

“I did a lot of things much better than the previous days. “He didn’t play so many matches on grass the last couple of years. I should not call him on the net, so I apologise for that. He added in his press conference: “I have to say that I was wrong. “I spoke with him in the locker room and it stays there. I feel really bad now if I bothered him so I feel sorry for that.

Tennis - Nadal defeated Lorenzo Sonego in the Wimbledon third round.

I should have done that during the changeover or waited for the referee to tell him," Nadal explained. Rafa forced the rival's mistake with a powerful backhand and grabbed a break at the start of the third set. Nadal broke again in the following game and sealed the deal on his serve at 5-4. Sonego raised his level behind the initial shot after that to remain within one break deficit. Lorenzo sprayed a backhand error in game four to fall 3-1 behind. The Spaniard served well, dropping 18 points behind the initial shot and losing serve once in the encounter's closing stage.

RAFAEL NADAL was locked in an odd exchange at the end of his win over Lorenzo Sonego as he spoke to the Italian at the net.

After the win, Nadal said: “Not spicy at all - I just from the bottom of my heart I didn't make it in a negative way I feel sorry if I bothered him but I did it in a right way. That's it - I will talk to him after but this is not a problem.” Nadal defeated Sonego 6-1 6-2 6-4 to secure his first straight sets win of this year’s Championships after having dropped a set in each of his first two matches.

His message comes less than a month after Sainz branded Nadal the “best” tennis player following his record-extending 14th French Open and 22nd Grand Slam title ...

I recognise that.” The tennis icon himself is also in the country for Wimbledon, where he will play his fourth-round match on Monday. Nadal quickly apologised in his post-match press conference as he said: ”Well, first of all, I have to say that I was wrong.

He reached the semi-finals at Queen's and has swatted aside Feliciano Lopez, Emil Ruusuvuori and two-time semi-finalist Richard Gasquet in the last few days.

“That final against Federer in 2008 was one of the greatest matches of tennis ever, I’d have been at school when that was played but I remember watching it and it was insane. “Growing up he was a special player to me and I was very nervous playing him in Paris, that experience will help me here. “I think maybe I can hurt him on the grass courts here,” he added.

Rafael Nadal looks to follow his "best match since the tournament started" with another strong performance in the Wimbledon fourth round against Botic van ...

Nakashima, playing in his second Wimbledon, is through to the fourth round for the first time in his sixth main-draw major appearance. Most of Garin's best results have come on clay, but he is through to the Wimbledon fourth round for the second straight year. He also reached the Roland Garros third round this year before falling to eventual semi-finalist Alexander Zverev in his best previous major showing. Fritz has quietly cruised into the fourth round to match his best major result. De Minaur will be relieved to face a man who does not hail from Great Britain after battling past home favourites Jack Draper and Liam Broady in his past two matches. Asked if he felt he could win his first Grand Slam singles title this week, he answered in the affirmative. "Nakashima won easily today in straight sets," Kyrgios said of the American's dominant third-round win against Daniel Elahi Galan. "To do that at Wimbledon on grass is not easy. "He's a player that has been improving unbelievably [in] the last year," the Spaniard said of his opponent. I made a lot of things much better than previous days: the determination, the way that I managed to play more aggressive, going to the net plenty of times." Of course he's winning the first few rounds. Nadal dismissed him at the French with a 6-3, 6-2, 6-4 victory. "It was a good challenge at the French... He's a complete player with a lot of great things, and I need to keep going the way that I played today.

Read on for betting analysis of Rafael Nadal's fourth round Wimbledon contest against Botic van de Zandschulp.

Van de Zandschulp made his breakthrough at the US Open last year. Even though Nadal looked dominant once against last round, he is always susceptible to slightly decreased level on the grass. Nadal found the consistent depth on his groundstrokes that have caused opponents trouble for well over a decade. Although Nadal is a different caliber of opponent, he will be familiar with that level from their last meeting. Van de Zandschulp Odds Van de Zandschulp Odds

Rafael Nadal and three Australian men (Jason Kubler, Nick Kyrgios, and Alex de Minaur) look to make the Wimbledon quarterfinals.

He might lack something extra to beat Rafael Nadal though, especially if the Spaniard is playing like he did against Lorenzo Sonego, not against Francisco Cerundolo and Ricardas Berankis. Nadal in 4 de Minaur in 4 Jakub: After a bit of roof and grunting drama, Nadal got his first straight-set win at Wimbledon this year, taking out Lorenzo Sonego. Van De Zandschulp has eliminated yet another tricky opponent in Richard Gasquet in his last match. Jakub: Kyrgios played one of the best matches of the tournament against Stefanos Tsitsipas but will have a different challenge in Nakashima. The young American is a strong returner, as he showed against Denis Shapovalov, and will make Kyrgios rally at the very least. Kubler is a solid player but I expect the last match to catch up to him as Fritz’s short time spent on court will make him a tough out as we head into the business end of the tournament. The Chilean got lucky with Matteo Berrettini’s withdrawal but really showed up in his last win over Jenson Brooksby. de Minaur has been solid throughout the tournament, beating Brits Jack Draper and Liam Broady in his last two matches.

The tennis world couldn't help but collectively lose it over the photo. Find out more here.

You can select 'Manage settings' for more information and to manage your choices. You can change your choices at any time by visiting Your Privacy Controls. Find out more about how we use your information in our Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy. Click here to find out more about our partners. - Information about your device and internet connection, including your IP address

Rafael Nadal has won seven consecutive sets to reach the Wimbledon quarter-finals. © Shaun Botterill/Getty Images. ATP Staff Jul 04, 2022.

"It's going to be a tough match, but we are in the quarter-finals of Wimbledon so what can I expect?" The second relied more on touch than power and resulted in a lawnmower celebration from the Spaniard, who repeatedly pumped his fist. Against van de Zandschulp, the Spaniard failed to serve out the match at 5-3 and led 6/3 in the third-set tie-break before claiming victory on his fourth match point when an overhead flew just wide.

Rafa Nadal, who has won the first two legs of the calendar Grand Slam for the first time in his career, moved into the Wimbledon quarterfinals by beating No ...

He said he played through the French Open because he received multiple anaesthetic injections during the tournament. Kyrgios next faces Cristian Garin of Chile in the quarters. Nadal and Fritz are 1-1 head-to-head, with the American beating a compromised Nadal in the Indian Wells final in March when Nadal was bothered by a cracked rib. He should get a stiff test from No. 10 Jannik Sinner on Tuesday after the Italian handled No. 5 Carlos Alcaraz in four sets Sunday. He has yet to drop a set in the fortnight. He will next face American Taylor Fritz on Wednesday after Fritz advanced to his first career quarterfinal.

While serial champions like Serena Williams and Rafael Nadal are no-brainers for our list, there are a few older names present too …

Rafael Nadal defeated Botic van de Zandschulp today, 6-4, 6-2, 7-6 (6), to reach his eighth Wimbledon quarterfinal, as well as his 47th career Grand Slam ...

Facts & Stats Facts & Stats Facts & Stats

Lorenzo Sonego has clearly not fully forgiven Rafael Nadal after their spat on Centre Court last weekend, insisting the Spaniard "distracted me".

"Just to tell one thing that was bothering me that I think he was doing in that moment, but that's it. "Probably I will not -- I should not call him on the net. It's a rare occasion for anyone to get under his skin, but Sonego did just that and Nadal called his opponent to the net to request he tones down his grunts during points. "Well, first of all, I have to say that I was wrong," he said. I apologise for that. Nadal came out on top with ease, winning 6-1 6-2 6-4, but there was a brief moment in the second set which grabbed the attentions of everyone.

Rafael Nadal survived a late fightback to move into the quarter-finals at Wimbledon following a straight sets win over Botic van de Zandschulp.

Wimbledon "Until the end when I played a bad game at 5-2 when it had been a very positive match. Wimbledon

From four-set wins in his opening two rounds, Nadal has followed that up with two victories in straight sets – up next, though, a man who hasn't dropped a ...

It’s going to be a tough match, but we’re in the quarter-finals of Wimbledon so what can I expect,” Nadal added. A slip added to Nadal’s woes, particularly with it coming when he would have rather been back in the changing room. “He’s playing well.

Rafael Nadal, Nick Kyrgios, Taylor Fitz and Cristian Garin advanced to the Wimbledon quarterfinals with victories Monday.

The Australian then held two match points at 5-4 in the fifth. The unseeded Chilean trailed 5-3 in the first-to-10 fifth-set tiebreaker before winning six straight points to take a 9-5 lead. Kyrgios also needed five sets to get past Paul Jubb in the first round. That was the end of the Dutchman's resistance, though, as Nadal converted his fourth match point for a 6-4, 6-2, 7-6 (6) win on Centre Court. The Spaniard is playing his first grass-court tournament since 2019, when he lost to Roger Federer in the Wimbledon semifinals. I was bouncing the ball before I served; I really just smiled to myself,'' said Kyrgios, owner of a tour-high 11 victories on grass this season. Kyrgios overcame an ailing shoulder and a fourth-set slump to beat 20-year-old American Brandon Nakashima 4-6, 6-4, 7-6 (2), 3-6, 6-2.

French Open champ Rafael Nadal got honest on his three-year layoff at Wimbledon after advancing to the 2022 quarterfinal against Taylor Fritz.

However, the Spaniard has sharpened his play since, defeating each of Lorenzo Sonego and van de Zandschulp in straight sets. The win earned Nadal his eighth career trip to a Wimbledon quarterfinal, where he’ll face off with American Taylor Fritz. After a three-year layoff at the storied tourney, the 2022 French Open champ got honest on what it meant to him personally, per The Tennis Podcast. 4 Rafael Nadal advanced to the quarterfinal at Wimbledon on Monday, defeating Botic van de Zandschulp of The Netherlands in straight sets.

Spaniard eased to a 6-4, 6-2, 7-6 (6) victory and set up a quarter-final clash with his conquerer at Indian Wells in March, Taylor Fritz.

Taylor Fritz, the 11th seed, is yet to drop a set in this tournament, reaching his first career grand slam quarter-final by defeating Jason Kubler 6-3, 6-1, 6-4. But Nadal and Djokovic are still here, rolling through the draw, determined to write another page in the sport’s history books. None of those improvements served him particularly well in the face of the pressure and intensity from Nadal early on. On Monday, Nadal was extremely efficient against a challenging opponent until nerves struck as he served for the match, but he pulled himself together to seal the win. “I think, till the end, until I played a bad game at 5-3, it has been a very positive match against a difficult opponent. He reached the quarter‑finals with his 18th grand slam match win in a row after a high‑class performance, outplaying Botic van de Zandschulp, the 21st seed, 6-4, 6-2, 7-6 (6).

No. 2 Rafael Nadal clinched a spot in the Wimbledon 2022 quarterfinals after a 6-4, 6-3, 7-6 (6) win over No. 21 Botic van de Zandschulp.

#CentreCourt100 pic.twitter.com/YpQxGtEB0v One @RafaelNadal. #Wimbledon Vamos! 💥 @RafaelNadal snags the first set over van de Zandschulp, 6-4. Fans are also likely looking ahead to a dream final between him and No. 1 Novak Djokovic. He’s held serve well at times in this match, so he can fancy his chances in this set. Rafa rolls into the quarter-finals 💪

The Spaniard secures a straight sets victory over Botic van de Zandschulp 6-4, 6-2, 7-6(6)#Wimbledon The No. 2 seed was cruising at this point. Zandschulp goes from 40-love down to break Nadal’s serve in the first game of Set 3. #Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/zKZ1cOXQeM It took until the 10th game for Nadal to finally gain an advantage, breaking his opponent to win the set 6-4. Beating Nadal on grass usually means hitting him off the court. @RafaelNadal pic.twitter.com/Sq0SovkdoB