Nadal, Sharapova on Wimbledon cruise as Davydenko crashes
Thursday, 26 June 2008
LONDON, June 25 (AFP):Rafael Nadal, Maria Sharapova and Venus Williams moved into the Wimbledon second round on Tuesday but men's fourth seed Nikolay Davydenko crashed to an embarrassingly limp defeat.
Second seed Nadal, bidding to become the first Spanish men's champion since 1966, enjoyed a 6-4, 6-4, 7-6 (7/0) win over German qualifier, and fellow left-hander, Andreas Beck.
The second seed, fresh from his fourth successive French Open title and first grasscourt trophy at Queen's, is also bidding to be the first Roland Garros-Wimbledon back-to-back winner since Bjorn Borg in 1980.
"My opponent was another leftie and his second serve was difficult to read. He served to the body and that was hard for me," said Nadal.
Sharapova, the third seed and 2004 champion, took to Court One in a tuxedo-style jacket and trousers which she peeled off before playing in a pair of shorts.
The Russian wasted little time in ending French opponent Stephanie Foretz's involvement with an untroubled 6-1, 6-4 victory.
Second seed Nadal, bidding to become the first Spanish men's champion since 1966, enjoyed a 6-4, 6-4, 7-6 (7/0) win over German qualifier, and fellow left-hander, Andreas Beck.
The second seed, fresh from his fourth successive French Open title and first grasscourt trophy at Queen's, is also bidding to be the first Roland Garros-Wimbledon back-to-back winner since Bjorn Borg in 1980.
"My opponent was another leftie and his second serve was difficult to read. He served to the body and that was hard for me," said Nadal.
Sharapova, the third seed and 2004 champion, took to Court One in a tuxedo-style jacket and trousers which she peeled off before playing in a pair of shorts.
The Russian wasted little time in ending French opponent Stephanie Foretz's involvement with an untroubled 6-1, 6-4 victory.