Rafael Nadal was delighted with his performance against Lorenzo Sonego in the third round at Wimbledon. After two unconvincing wins early in the tournament, Nadal looked much better in the third round as he beat Sonego 6-1, 6-2, 6-4.
Nadal’s break point making was very good, as he converted 6 of 8 of his break point opportunities. “It was probably my best match, without a doubt, here at the Championship, against the toughest player I’ve ever faced so far,” Nadal said in his on-court interview, according to the ATP website.
“I was able to raise my level so I’m super happy about that. I wish Lorenzo all the best for the rest of the season.” Nadal needed four sets to beat Francisco Cerúndolo in the first round and was also pressured into a four-set duel by Ricardas Berankis in the second round.
“I think I did a lot of things much better than the previous days: the determination, the way I managed to play more aggressive, getting to the net a lot of times,” Nadal said. “[I’m] happy. It’s [a] good win against a great player.
Very happy about it.” Nadal next plays Botic van de Zandschulp, who dispatched Richard Gasquet to reach his first Wimbledon round of 16. Van de Zandschulp has been on the rise over the last 12 months and Nadal says he will not take the Dutchman for granted when they meet for the second time.
A month ago at the French Open, Nadal defeated Van de Zandschulp in three sets.
Rafa Nadal shone
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.” Rafael Nadal believes his win over Lorenzo Sonego on Saturday was his best performance at this year’s Championships.
“Well, yeah happy match, my best match without a doubt,” said Nadal. “Big improvement today, so very happy for that. I made I think a lot of things better than the previous days, the determination, the way that I manage to play more aggressive going into the net. Happy, good victory against a great player.”
