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 yesterday.
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 yesterday.
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.
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| Spain's Rafael Nadal returns a ball to Japan's Kei Nishikori during his first round match at the Wimbledon Championships yesterday. PIC/AFP |
While there will be sterner tests than this ahead for Nadal, it is clear his confidence is sky-high after an imperious run to his fifth French Open crown in Paris earlier this month.
That victory at Roland Garros lifted Nadal above Federer into the number one spot in the world rankings and the 24-year-old has every chance of dethroning his rival at Wimbledon as well.
Federer only narrowly avoided an embarrassing first round exit against unheralded Colombian Alejandro Falla on Monday and the contrast between his spluttering, error-strewn effort and Nadal's typically belligerent display against Nishikori was striking.
"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," Nadal said.
"I love the grass. I did well in the last few years on this surface and I enjoy playing on this court a lot.
"It was always amazing to come here and after the victory in 2008 it is a little bit more special."
Nadal is adamant he has no sense of unfinished business at Wimbledon after being unable to defend the title and insisted all the pressure is on reigning champion Federer
"I don't feel like I have to 'defend' the title. Roger has to defend that," he said.
"I had a chance to defend in 2008 but I didn't play because of my knee. That's the sport. Right now I am just going to try my best to do well here again."
When Nadal suffered an early exit from the pre-Wimbledon warm-up at Queen's Club, it was suggested he had run out of steam following his heroics on clay.
But a trip home to Mallorca, where Nadal spent time hanging out with his family and playing golf with his friends, eased any aching limbs.
