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6/20/11 4:24 PM | Cheryl Murray
Rafael Nadal kicked off his bid to defend the Wimbledon crown with a routine straight set win over veteran American Michael Russell.
World No. 1 Rafael Nadal enjoyed the privilege of playing the first match on Centre Court at the All-England club. The right is reserved for the reigning men’s champion.
The top seed got off to a bit of a slow start. American Michael Russell, a 33-year old ranked 90 in the world, actually broke for a 4-2 lead in the first set after Nadal double-faulted on break point. The victory was short-lived however. Nadal got the break back in Russell’s next service game.
From that point, the match was all Nadal. The Spaniard sprinted out to a 4-1 lead in the second set, all the while finding more pace and control on the forehand wing. Russell managed to get a break back for 4-2, but Nadal broke him yet again and eventually served out the second set 6-2.
With his forehand winners adding up and increasing success with the backhand slice, Nadal once again secured a pair of service breaks in the third set for the easy victory.
Nadal awaits the winner of Ryan Sweeting and Pablo Andujar in the second round.
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Watching Fed's box applauding Rafa, especially his Dad, when Rafa clambered onto the Wimby TV studio roof to hug his parents........you gotta ask yourself.....what's not to love about this game?
Class..............
Sorry folks.....above is reference to THAT final.........
rafaisthebest , 6/20/11 8:08 PM
rafaisthebest - Roger's dad is a class act...but I remember thinking that Gavin Rossdale looked like he wanted to give Nadal a quick shove right off that railing. :)
cherylmurray , 6/20/11 8:12 PM
OMG - There's alway Gwen Steffani looking bored out of her mind, and Rossdale looking like he's going to lose his mind. There has to be another celebrity couple wo can attend these finals for Fed.
Maya , 6/20/11 8:26 PM
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Oh goody.........my TV channel is replaying THAT Fed/Rafa final during the rain delay..........can never get enough of this!!!! Feast for sore eyes.........
rafaisthebest , 6/20/11 7:44 PM