22-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal advances to the fourth round at Wimbledon. Nadal dispatched Lorenzo Sonego 6-1 6-2 6-4 in two hours and three minutes to secure his 56th win at the All England Club and his 17th consecutive Major victory in 2022.
Nadal raised the level of him compared to the first two meetings, giving up 18 points in his games and losing serve once in the third set. He got six breaks from eight chances to control the scoreboard and seal the deal without spending too much time on the court.
Rafa only lost two points on serve in the opening set, and his rival could not match that level. Sonego took just ten points, and Nadal dominated each segment 6-1. The Spaniard turned in two solid at-bats early on, and Lorenzo added a backhand error in game four to find himself down 3-1.
Rafa held the 30 in the fifth game to confirm the advantage and got another break after the opponent’s double fault in the next one for 5-1. Nadal served for the set and held love to open a 6-1 lead in 27 minutes. With momentum on his side, Rafa started the second set with a break after a forehand crosscourt winner.
The Spaniard held 30 in the second game and secured another break a few minutes later to forge a 3-0 lead and string eight straight games. Nadal served well in games four, six and eight to control the scoreboard and hit a backhand crosscourt winner at 5-2 to open up a massive 6-1 6-2 lead in 64 minutes.
Rafa added his rival’s error with a powerful backhand and got a break at the beginning of the third set to get closer to the goal.
Rafa Nadal defeated Sonego
Rafael Nadal’s third-round win over Lorenzo Sonego at Wimbledon on Saturday was mired in controversy late into the third set.
“First of all I have to say that I was wrong,” said the Spaniard. “I should not call him on the net. So, apologies for that – my mistake in that. No problem in recognise that.” Rafael Nadal steered clear of getting into the minutes of his discussion with the Italian but mentioned that he apologized to his opponent.
“After that, there are all other stuff during the match that I don’t want to comment because it’s something that I spoke with him in the locker room and it stays there,” added the Spaniard. “Only thing I can say is that I told him personally that I apologise for that.
My intention was never to bother him at all, just to tell one thing that was bothering me in that moment but that’s it.”