Nadal routs Berdych for 2nd title at Wimbledon
Source: Agencies |
July 5, 2010, Monday
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A SPELLBINDING display of brutal hitting and raw speed from Rafael Nadal secured the Spaniard his second Wimbledon title yesterday with a 6-3, 7-5, 6-4 victory over 12th seed Tomas Berdych.
Nadal, who has not lost at the All England Club in London since the 2007 final after victory in 2008 and injury prevented his defense last year, completely nullified the 1.95-meter Czech's biggest weapons to storm to an eighth career grand slam and open up a cavernous lead at the top of the world rankings.
The win, which completed a second French Open-Wimbledon double in three years for Nadal, came after two hours and 13 minutes when his 20th forehand winner left Berdych stranded at the net on his first championship point.
He celebrated by slumping on to his back on the baseline, holding his face in his hands before embracing Berdych at the net and performing an impromptu roly poly and double fist pump towards his entourage.
"More than a dream for me, always a dream to play in this final," Nadal said in an on-court interview. "To have this trophy in my hands, amazing. You're (Berdych) doing an amazing season, sorry for today but I wish you luck for the rest of the season."
From the moment Nadal bounced, weaved and stretched his way down the corridors of the All England Club to Centre Court like a fired-up prize fighter, there was a sense nothing could derail the 24-year-old.
Both held their opening service games to love on a bright and breezy day, and neither was under early pressure, and even a male fan bellowing "I love you Rafa" could not throw the Spaniard's focus.
Game seven turned the tone of the match though, as Nadal stepped up a gear and Berdych's first serve deserted him.
Nadal's forehand was starting to eat up the Berdych serve, and the Mallorcan brought the crowd to life with a searing forehand pass down the line to bring up three break points.
A cutting backhand return had the Czech stretching and Nadal clenched his fist with stern-faced determination when Berdych's forehand skewed out.
The pre-match build-up had focused on the Berdych forehand, which had dismantled six-time champion Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic in the last two rounds, but Nadal reminded everyone that his is the most potent weapon in the game.
He held to love for 5-3 and took the second of two break points in game nine to take the opening set 6-3 in 34 minutes, another bullet forehand return forcing the Czech to net.
Berdych, watched from the Royal Box by Jan Kodes, the only Czech man to win the title here in 1973, mixed things up in the next two sets with a few net forays which showed promising signs of unsettling Nadal but the Mallorcan just kept slamming the door.
"It was a great two weeks for me but he was really strong today, he's showed in the last two months he's the champion and he deserved to win today," Berdych said.
Nadal, who has not lost at the All England Club in London since the 2007 final after victory in 2008 and injury prevented his defense last year, completely nullified the 1.95-meter Czech's biggest weapons to storm to an eighth career grand slam and open up a cavernous lead at the top of the world rankings.
The win, which completed a second French Open-Wimbledon double in three years for Nadal, came after two hours and 13 minutes when his 20th forehand winner left Berdych stranded at the net on his first championship point.
He celebrated by slumping on to his back on the baseline, holding his face in his hands before embracing Berdych at the net and performing an impromptu roly poly and double fist pump towards his entourage.
"More than a dream for me, always a dream to play in this final," Nadal said in an on-court interview. "To have this trophy in my hands, amazing. You're (Berdych) doing an amazing season, sorry for today but I wish you luck for the rest of the season."
From the moment Nadal bounced, weaved and stretched his way down the corridors of the All England Club to Centre Court like a fired-up prize fighter, there was a sense nothing could derail the 24-year-old.
Both held their opening service games to love on a bright and breezy day, and neither was under early pressure, and even a male fan bellowing "I love you Rafa" could not throw the Spaniard's focus.
Game seven turned the tone of the match though, as Nadal stepped up a gear and Berdych's first serve deserted him.
Nadal's forehand was starting to eat up the Berdych serve, and the Mallorcan brought the crowd to life with a searing forehand pass down the line to bring up three break points.
A cutting backhand return had the Czech stretching and Nadal clenched his fist with stern-faced determination when Berdych's forehand skewed out.
The pre-match build-up had focused on the Berdych forehand, which had dismantled six-time champion Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic in the last two rounds, but Nadal reminded everyone that his is the most potent weapon in the game.
He held to love for 5-3 and took the second of two break points in game nine to take the opening set 6-3 in 34 minutes, another bullet forehand return forcing the Czech to net.
Berdych, watched from the Royal Box by Jan Kodes, the only Czech man to win the title here in 1973, mixed things up in the next two sets with a few net forays which showed promising signs of unsettling Nadal but the Mallorcan just kept slamming the door.
"It was a great two weeks for me but he was really strong today, he's showed in the last two months he's the champion and he deserved to win today," Berdych said.
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