Second seed to face either 19th seed Fabio Fognini or Jiri Vesely in fourth round on Monday
Last Updated: 07/07/18 4:40pm
Rafael Nadal produced a ruthless display to defeat talented Australian teenager Alex de Minaur and reach the Wimbledon fourth round.
The two-time champion arrived at the All England Club having not played a grass-court event, but his growing confidence was clear to see as the 32-year-old thrilled the Centre Court crowds with a 6-1 6-2 6-4 victory in baking hot conditions.
De Minaur, world No 80, is making good strides in the men’s game but the 19-year-old was no match for an assertive Nadal, who hasn’t lost a set at this year’s Championships.
Nadal is yet to progress past the fourth round in his last five visits but he appears to be relishing in the warmer Wimbledon conditions as he eventually made the first breakthrough on his fifth break point of the fourth game.
Rafael Nadal will hope to progress past the fourth round for the first time since 2011
Victory ensures the Spaniard will remain as the world No 1 when the rankings are next updated on July 16.
A second straight break of serve helped the 17-time Grand Slam champion on his way to securing the first set, with a host of sporting greats watching on in the Royal Box – as is tradition on the middle Saturday.
Nadal’s greater intensity from the baseline was proving a difference as he gained the upper hand off De Minaur’s serve and after claiming back-to-back breaks, he saved two break point opportunities to win the second set.
A spectacular forehand winner down the line from Nadal enabled the second seed to win the fifth game and take charge of the third set.
Alex de Minaur was meeting Nadal for the first time in his burgeoning career
Despite De Minaur’s ability from the baseline, inconsistency on serve proved a hindrance and Nadal’s greater accuracy ensured the Spaniard progressed to the second week of a major once again.
Nadal will now face either 19th seed Fabio Fognini or Jiri Vesely.
The winner of that fourth round match will encounter Juan Martin Del Potro or Gilles Simon in the fifth.
Del Potro, the fifth seed, beat Benoit Paire 6-4 7-6 (7-4) 6-3 to move into the second week of the Championships for the first time in five years. While Simon prevailed in four against Australia’s Matthew Ebden 6-1 6-7 (3-7) 6-3 7-6 (7-2).
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Our next tennis action comes from the German Open in Hamburg. Watch the action live on Sky Sports Arena from Monday, July 23 from 10am.
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