Nadal, the 2008 and 2010 champion, was tested by World No. 77 Kukushkin, a player who is coached by his wife. The Kazakhstani was made to pay for converting just two of 13 break points in the match
Rafael Nadal celebrates his win over Mikhail Kukushkin in London yesterday and Novak Djokovic returns to Argentina's Horacio Zeballos during their Round Two match. Pics/AFP
Former champions Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic battled into the Wimbledon third round yesterday. World number one Nadal defeated Mikhail Kukushkin of Kazakhstan 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 and will next face Australian teenager Alex de Minaur.
Djokovic, the three-time champion, needed treatment on his left thigh on Court Two but still had too many weapons for Argentina's Horacio Zeballos, winning 6-1, 6-2, 6-3. Djokovic has now made the third round for 10 consecutive years and will face either British 21st seed Kyle Edmund or US qualifier Bradley Klahn.
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Nadal, the 2008 and 2010 champion, was tested by World No. 77 Kukushkin, a player who is coached by his wife. The Kazakhstani was made to pay for converting just two of 13 break points in the match. "It was very tough because he played very well," said 11-time French Open champion Nadal, who is chasing an 18th major.
"On grass, the ball bounces really low so it was a good test. I knew it was going to be a tough match, so I went onto the court with the determination and intensity, thinking I can't make any mistakes." For Djokovic, meanwhile, victory was his 60th at Wimbledon — making him just the fifth man to claim 60 wins at the All England Club in the Open Era.
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