Nadal

Rafael Nadal wasted little time in booking his place in the Wimbledon fourth round for Saturday, racing past Italian Lorenzo Sonego 6-1, 6-2, 6-4.

"He's a complete player with a lot of great things, and I need to keep going the way that I played today: playing aggressive and playing with the right energy. Nadal flew out of the blocks against Sonego in their first ATP Head2Head meeting, pulling the Italian from corner to corner with his heavy forehand. With Nadal leading 4-2, the roof was closed due to fading light. With his foot on the gas, Nadal continued to dictate in the third set, flattening out his backhand to cause Sonego more trouble. "It was probably my best match without a doubt here at The Championships against the most difficult player I have faced yet,” Nadal said in his on-court interview. The 36-year-old blasted the ball past Sonego from all angles, while demonstrating deft touches at the net to advance after two hours and four minutes.

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.

A blushing Nadal swiftly played down any lingering animosity towards the Italian, refuting claims of a “spicy” edge to the match and conceding he was “sorry if ...

Two pure winners ensued and Nadal cracked on the first of three break points to bring parity in the third set and renewed hope of the late night those in attendance craved. The emotions bubbling over seemed to light a fire inside Nadal, who hit back immediately and seizing the break he had lost moments earlier with a clubbed backhand. Pure relief was painted across Sonego’s face after moving to 4-1 with the 27-year-old encouraging the crowd to ramp up the volume, a tactic that would have consequences. But the Spaniard wouldn’t let up and after saving one breakpoint early in the second, a moment of brilliance from the 22-time Grand Slam champion arrived: a trademark whipped forehand cross court passed the onrushing Sonego at the net. A breathless pace established and a first set in just 28 minutes, Sonego, looking to match a career-best fourth round at SW19 achieved last year, was quickly forced to dig deep into his box of tricks. This was a more ruthless Nadal, banishing any lingering concerns after being made to work over four sets against Ričardas Berankis in the last round.

Rafael Nadal, the reigning Australian Open and French Open champion, remains on course for the Calendar Slam as he pursues a third Wimbledon title - and ...

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. It gave the Italian hope, but Nadal remained ruthless to burn to a 3-0 lead in the third set. The bone of contention came as Nadal thought Sonego made a sound before actually striking the ball. Nadal then turned up the heat in what was truly a set to forget for Sonego as he raced into a 4-0 lead. Nadal started brightly, winning his first two service games to love before he secured the break. However, the third round clash against his Italian opponent saw Nadal kick his game up a gear.

Rafael Nadal apologised for his conduct after he after defeating Lorenzo Sonego in straight sets to reach the fourth round of Wimbledon.

I never thought that would happen 10 years ago so I feel lucky so thanks to everyone who has supported to me in this journey.’ I feel really bad now if I bothered him so I feel sorry for that. ‘Probably been my best match here without a doubt during the Championships, against the most difficult player I faced.

RAFAEL NADAL aired his grievance with Lorenzo Sonego towards the end of their Wimbledon third-round clash.

Nadal then rediscovered his momentum to win the final two games and see out the match. Kyrgios beat fourth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas in a fiery encounter on Saturday, and looks to be a tough draw for anyone that crosses him. Nadal will now gear up to face Dutchman Botic van de Zandschulp in the fourth round - his highest-seeded opponent so far. After the restart, Sonego won two games on the spin to level things up at 4-4. The roof was eventually closed at 4-2, prompting a frustrated reaction from the Spaniard who was anxious to see out the job. The pair then had another lengthy discussion after Nadal sealed his straight-sets victory, booking his spot in the round of 16.

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.

An irritated Rafael Nadal's pursuit of a rare calendar Grand Slam gathered momentum on Saturday as he took it upon himself to reprimand Lorenzo Sonego ...

I never thought that would happen 10 years ago so I feel lucky." In the opening set, Sonego never even got a look-in on his opponent's delivery and the only two points the Spaniard dropped on serve came when he produced two double faults at 3-1 up. That's it -- I will talk to him after but this is not a problem," said Nadal, who next faces Dutchman Botic van de Zandschulp. I feel really bad now if I bothered him so I feel sorry for that. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com

Rafael Nadal won his 17th consecutive Grand Slam match as he eased past Lorenzo Sonego in the third round at Wimbledon, but he insisted there were no hard ...

- Wimbledon - Wimbledon - Wimbledon - Wimbledon - Wimbledon There were loud cheers from those on the showpiece court when Sonego finally got on the scoreboard in the second set, but Nadal was never going to let such a big lead slip away.

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

I apologise for that. I recognise that. So apologise for that.

Lorenzo Sonego was angry with Nadal after losing to him in straight sets in round-three action at Wimbledon, saying the Spaniard had no right to summon him ...

'Who the heck does he think he is to tell Sonego to stop grunting? 'My intention was never to bother him at all. This Rafa guy is so full of himself, but I'm supposed to believe he's humble? 'I have to say that I was wrong. I recognise that. 'So I apologise for that.

RAFAEL NADAL brought Lorenzo Sonego to the net during a spat in their third-round match.

"He's a complete player with a lot of great things, and I need to keep going the way that I played today. "It was a good challenge in the French [Open] and I think he will be more [of a challenge at Wimbledon], no? Rafael Nadal has admitted he was in the "wrong" after he called Lorenzo Sonego to the net to discuss an issue during their third-round match. "Then after that, all the stuff during the match that I don't want to comment, because is something that I spoke with him in the locker room and it stays there. Just to tell one thing that was bothering me that I think he was doing in that moment, but that's it. Commentators watched on bemused at the relatively unusual sight of Nadal clashing with an opponent, but the veteran quickly went on the defensive after booking his spot in the fourth round.