Rafael Nadal will continue his Wimbledon campaign with fellow lefty Donald Young on the other side of the net on Wednesday. Lucas Pouille and Jerzy Janowicz are also in second-round action.
(4) Rafael Nadal vs. Donald Young
Nadal and Young will be going head-to-head for the third time in their careers when they clash in the Wimbledon second round on Wednesday. Both of their previous encounters have gone Nadal’s way; 6-1, 6-3 nine years ago in Indian Wells and 6-4, 6-2 at the same tournament in 2015. With the second-ranked Spaniard in scintillating form this season, it is hard to see Young being able to do anything that would drastically turn the tide. Nadal captured four clay-court titles–including a 10th French Open–and extended his current winning streak to eight matches by hammering John Millman 6-1, 6-3, 6-2 on Monday.
Young advanced to the last 64 when he got a fourth-set retirement from Denis Istomin while leading by two sets to one and 4-2 in the fourth. The 43rd-ranked American is in the midst of a fine season, with an 18-12 record, back-to-back fourth-round finishes in Indian Wells and Miami, semifinal performances in Memphis and Delray Beach, and a pair of grass-court quarterfinal showings at Queen’s Club and in Eastbourne. This will be a tougher test than what Millman offered, but Nadal may not be seriously troubled this fortnight until he faces a big server with more offensive firepower than Young.
Pick: Nadal in 3
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Jerzy Janowicz vs. (14) Lucas Pouille
Janowicz likely has a long way to go before he can think about someday making a return trip to the Wimbledon semifinals (previously accomplished in 2013), but he is at least starting to resurface to tennis relevancy. After reaching a career-high ranking of No. 14 four years ago, the 6’8” Pole fell off the map due to both physical problems and some mental struggles. Janowicz, who currently registers at No. 141 in the world, reached the Stuttgart quarterfinals last month and beat Denis Shapovalov 6-4, 3-6, 6-3, 7-6(2) on Monday.
Up next for Janowicz on Wednesday is a second career contest against Pouille. Their only previous meeting came two years ago on the indoor hard courts of St. Petersburg, where Pouille prevailed in a pair of tiebreakers. The 16th-ranked Frenchman has quarterfinal points to defend at the All-England Club, where his run last year featured victories over Young, Juan Martin Del Potro, and Bernard Tomic. Pouille battled through his Monday opener after fighting off two set points in the fourth and withstanding Malek Jaziri 6-7(5), 6-4, 6-4, 7-6(2). This is a considerable step up in competition for Janowicz, who must serve better than 60 percent and win more than 46 percent of his second-serve points (his numbers vs. Shapovalov) if he wants to pull off an upset.
Pick: Pouille in 4
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Don’t understand why Rafa needs to be so nervous when serving for the match when he’s two sets up and in winning position! It’s a R2 match and he’s already so nervous, can’t imagine the next or next next round!
Cmon, understand, its clearly bcos of Hus dismal record in the early rounds here recently. But at least he got it done!!
I understand your concern Lucky!…Hope Rafa will feel less nervous and get more confidence as he will get more matches under his belt later this week…
Vaamoos Rafa!! ✌ ✌ Fist pumps!! ? ?
2 down……..
Rafa was nervous when serving for the match partly because Donald was playing better and had nothing to lose and did everything to entertain the crowds more….also Rafa knew he would have to finish fast as it was getting so dark out there. Hope Rafa is not scheduled to play last in the next few matches, I can’t bear it…I was nervous myself when Rafa served for the match…
Good win for Rafa!
Vamos Champ!
I had to go out and wasn’t able to see the end If the third set. The score showed it was a tight one. But I don’t see any reason for concern. Rafa can’t always be expected to sail through matches. He may be nervous because of getting knocked out early in recent years. Whatever it is, the bottom line is that he finished the match in three sets. He’s going to have his challenges going forward.
No one said it would be easy all the time. A tight third set with some challenge is not a bad thing! Rafa come through!
It was plain from the way Rafa celebrated winning this match that it was a huge psychological barrier to overcome. This is the first time since 2011, I think, that Rafa has been through to the 3rd round at Wimby. I think we will see a more relaxed Rafa going forward, it starts getting tougher now………
He reached the fourth round in 2014 when he lost to Kyrgios
#Theoryinruins
What theory was that?
Don’t over-analyse, it’s only a tennis match, not a thesis on how to curb nuclear proliferation.
Yeah, that theory part was a joke and I meant the fact that it was a huge barrier in your opinion.
Thank you for the correction to my original post. Still, his tribulations since he lost that final to Djoker must still be weighing heavily on his mind. Let’s see what happens………
I think Rafa will continue to be tense until he reaches and wins the QF at least. I just don’t understand how a 15 times slam champion can be so nervous prone even when he’s leading in the match and about to win it; the match was in his hand to finish and to win, yet he’s so nervous and served poorly to lose serve! At least he rectified the situation in the next two games to win in the end; but he may not be so fortunate against some other opponents.
I’m hoping and waiting for the ‘nerve of steel, clutch’ Rafa to appear, just like in the old days,
Nervous tension and Rafa will always be inter-changeable. He will be tense in each and every match henceforth but he has to control the tension if he is to progress, like he did immediately after being broken. Rafa wants this……….
Controlled tension, for want of a better phrase……………
Rafa was tense but Young played a good couple of points in 5-4 game. I thought if you leave out that service, it was a solid match better than round 1. Rafa’s serve is a big worry . He has already lost it thrice.
So far,I don’t have any concerns. Rafa has done really well in his first two matches on grass. Yesterday he his second serve was bigger it has ever been ! He has been a little bit conservative with his forehand on average but this will improve.
Next rnd is a challenge bur he will pass it.
Vr, agree on all counts! ?
cheers nats!