Rafael Nadal bows out to Steve Darcis; Wawrinka suffers similar fate – Wimbledon Championships 2013
King of clay, Rafael Nadal, suffered a shocking opening-round loss against the Belgian contender, Steve Darcis, at the Wimbledon Championships 2013 on Monday. The 11th seed, Stanislas Wawrinka, also followed the Spaniard’s
footsteps and exited from this Major grass court event with disappointment.
Seeded fifth in this event, Nadal failed to seek his rhythm at this third of the four Grand Slam events taking place in London, United Kingdom.
The Spanish star was quoted in a courtside interview after losing the battle, “Sometimes you play well and you have the chance to win. Sometimes you play worse and your opponent plays well and you lose. I just want to congratulate
Darcis. I think he played a fantastic match. At the end [of the day it] is not a tragedy. That is sport. Two weeks ago I was in a fantastic situation, winning a fantastic tournament [at Roland Garros]. Two weeks later, I lost here in the first round. That's
the positive and the negative thing about this sport. It is tough losing in the first round.”
In the opening set both contenders displayed brilliant skills and held their respective serves until the 10th game. Nadal lost his serve in the second last game but quickly recovered and took the set to a tie-breaker.
He trailed in it and endured a 6-7(4) loss.
The world number five, Nadal, carried his dismal ways in the following set. He drew the first blood in the 11th game but quickly lost his edge in the very next game. The Spaniard was underplayed in the tie-breaker again
and consequently recorded a 6-7(8) defeat.
Nadal, who became the first person to capture eight titles in a Grand Slam event, suffered the first blow in the opening game of the third set. He slid his remaining serves with poise but the initial blow cost him the match.
The world number 135, Darcis recorded his first win against a Top five player.
The Swiss star on the other hand was edged out by the former world number one, Lleyton Hewitt, in brutal straight sets at the All England Lawn Tennis and croquet Club. He recorded a 4-6, 5-7, 3-6 loss at the hands of the Australian
star.
Wawrinka clobbered a better first serve share of 60 per cent and fired 12 aces. He capitalised on two of 10 break chances but fended off only nine out of 15 breakpoints he came across.
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