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  • Wimbledon round two preview: Rafael Nadal vs. Ernests Gulbis

    6/26/08 4:13 AM | Cheryl Murray
    - Every once in a while at the Grand Slams, the fans end up with a potential blockbuster match the first week of play. It doesn't happen often with the seeding system as it is now, but Thursday's match between Rafael Nadal and Ernests Gulbis has just that potential.

    Gulbis is a young up-start from Latvia with plenty of talent. His results since he turned pro in 2004 have been somewhat disappointing. The tennis world has been waiting for Gulbis to break through at a big tournament, and he did so at the French Open several weeks ago. Gulbis made his way all the way to the quarterfinals, where he ran into Novak Djokovic. He lost in straight sets 7-5, 7-6(3), 7-5. The Latvian's only grass tournament this season prior to Wimbledon ended in a round of 16 loss to Andy Murray at The Queen's Club.

    Rafael Nadal comes into Wimbledon in perhaps the best form of his career to date. He won the French Open for the fourth consecutive time, crushing Roger Federer in the final, and pocketed his first ever grass court title at Queens two weeks ago. The Spaniard is riding a wave of confidence in his game at the moment.

    Gulbis has the type of game that could trouble Nadal. He has a dangerous first serve, and he hits his groundstrokes flat and hard. If he is playing well, he might be able to snag a set from the world number two. It most likely will not be enough. Nadal is simply too focused and stubborn to give up three sets to an player of the relative inexperience of Gulbis. Nadal in four.

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