Rafael Nadal struggles past Radek Stepanek into the quarterfinals – AEGON Championships 2011
World number 1, Spaniard Rafael Nadal survived a scare in the second set to defeat world number 57 Radek Stepanek of Czech Republic in three sets 6-3, 5-7, 6-1 in the third round of AEGON Championships at the Queen’s Club in London
on Thursday. Nadal needed two hours and 24 minutes to beat his opponent in a tough contest.
Nadal broke Stepanek in the fifth game of the opening set and held his serve in the next game to take a 4-2 lead. At 5-3, the top seed broke his opponent again to win the set 6-3.
The Spaniard did not serve that well as he delivered just two aces and 48 percent of the first serves, claiming 75 percent of the points on them. However, Nadal troubled his opponent with the fine service returns, winning 41 percent
of the first return points in the opening set. The left-handed utilised two of the four break points he received and saved all the three break points he faced on his own serve in the first set.
In the second set, Nadal was looking to win the match quickly as he broke Stepanek in the fourth game and consolidated on it to take a 4-1 lead. Serving for the match at 5-3, Nadal had two match points at 40-15. However, after
that, it was all Stepanek show as he saved both match points and went on to break Nadal. The Czech clinched next three games, breaking Nadal again in the eleventh game and holding his serve in the next game to win the set 7-5.
The 32-year-old converted 44 percent of the first return points in the second set. The right-handed capitalised on two of the five break points on Nadal’s serve and succeeded in saving three of the four break points on his own
serve in the second set.
After losing a tough second set, Nadal regained his form in the third set as he thrashed Stepanek, breaking the Czech thrice and winning the set 6-1.
The Spaniard fired three aces and 76 percent of the first deliveries, grabbing 62 percent of the points on them in the deciding set. The Mallorca resident saved seven of the eight break points and converted three of the seven break
points on Stepanek’s serve in the final set.
Commenting on the match, Nadal said, “[I played] much better than yesterday. I was playing I think a very complete match. But I think at 5-3, 40/15 he played well. I had a few mistakes and that was the turning point of the match
at that moment. Beginning of the third [set], especially the first game was tough, but after that I think I played my best.”
The Spaniard is drawn to take on world number 19 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga of France in the quarterfinals.
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