Day Two of Wimbledon 2022 sees Rafael Nadal begin his quest for an incredible 23rd Grand Slam having already triumphed at the Australian Open and French Open this year.
The 36-year-old is among the favourites to win the tournament and he’ll be hoping his ongoing troubles with a foot injury don’t cause him any problems against Argentine Francisco Cerundolo.
With Iga Swiatek extending her unbeaten run to 36 matches in all competitions with a victory over Croatian qualifier Jana Fett in the first match on Centre Court on Tuesday afternoon, the second ladies match on the show court is reserved for one of the all-time greats.
Serena Williams, making her first singles appearance in one day short of a year, takes on Harmony Tan in her return to action.
At 40 years of age and still chasing an incredible 24th career Grand Slam singles title, you’d be foolish to write off her chances in SW19.
The Sporting News is on hand to bring you live updates and highlights of both Centre Court matches below.
Rafael Nadal vs. Francisco Cerundolo score
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rafael Nadal | 6 | 6 | 1 | – | – |
| Francisco Cerundolo | 4 | 3 | 3 | – | – |
Rafael Nadal vs. Francisco Cerundolo live updates, highlights from 2022 Wimbledon
All times BST
*denotes server
*Rafael Nadal 6-4 6-3 1-3 Francisco Cerundolo
Cerundolo goes 0-30 up, an overhead smash at the net winning the latter point. Nadal’s attempted lop goes long and the Argentine has three break points. He rattles a return winner and signals to the crowd for more noise. A big moment for Cerundolo to get the break.
Rafael Nadal 6-4 6-3 1-2 *Francisco Cerundolo
Nadal hits a weak forehand from way back that had no chance in going over… he’s disappointed at himself at 30-30. The 23-year-old then gives Nadal no chance with back-to-back forehand winners down the left.
*Rafael Nadal 6-4 6-3 1-1 Francisco Cerundolo
Nadal is at full stretch to return a forehand mere centimetres over the net to go 30-15 up and then hits a powerful serve on the following point. He closes out the game with a wide ace.
Rafael Nadal 6-4 6-3 0-1 *Francisco Cerundolo
Loud gasps from the crowd as Nadal takes an awkward fall after slipping mid-rally at 15-30. He gives himself a couple of seconds on the ground before slowly getting up… then wins the next point. Nadal’s soon presented with break point after a wayward Cerundolo backhand but he denies him at the next point. An unforced error gives the 23-year-old the hold of serve.
*Rafael Nadal 6-4 6-3 Francisco Cerundolo – NADAL WINS SECOND SET
Nadal takes no prisoners in getting to 30-0 with a couple of big serves. Cerundolo gets to a tidy drop shot but is out of position as Nadal returns to an empty court. Nadal then takes the second set as Cerundolo fires beyond the base line.
Rafael Nadal 6-4 5-3 *Francisco Cerundolo
Nadal takes the opener courtesy of his opponent’s error. Cerundolo looks bemused as Nadal opts for a sliced shot at the net but it pays off for the 2022 French Open champion. At 30-30, Cerundolo attempts a serve and volley but doesn’t execute the latter and he’s punished. Cerundolo saves two set points and a ferocious forehand puts him back in front. He’ll make Nadal serve for the second set, at least.
*Rafael Nadal 6-4 5-2 Francisco Cerundolo
Nadal double faults at 15-0. Cerundolo does well to avoid becoming a victim of the serve and volley by making the drop shot and snatching a point off Nadal at 15-40. At deuce, Cerundolo puts a forehand wide and long, before a big forehand puts Nadal one game away from a two-set lead.
Rafael Nadal 6-4 4-2 *Francisco Cerundolo
Cerundolo is just starting to find some rhythm with his forehand and picks off another winner to go 30-15 up. Nadal sends the next point into the net. A long rally drawing ‘oos’ and ‘aas’ from the crowd goes Nadal’s way to get to deuce before Cerundolo hits a lovely double-handed backhand cross-court. Nadal gets break point following another long rally, this time Cerundolo puts a forehand an inch wide of the line. Nadal gets the break as Cerundolo puts an easy shot long and, unsurprisingly, he’s annoyed with himself.
*Rafael Nadal 6-4 3-2 Francisco Cerundolo
Cerundolo hits a pinpoint forehand winner to go 0-30 up before Nadal matches him with one down the line which the crowd love. The 36-year-old draws on his experience to get back to 40-30 but is caught off guard by an explosive forehand from his opponent. Cerundolo gets break point but Nadal stays calm with a big serve down the centre. A lively point follows as Cerundolo slips mid-rally and Nadal punishes him. He holds.
Rafael Nadal 6-4 2-2 *Francisco Cerundolo
Cerundolo has several opportunities to hit a winner in the rally at 15-15 but Nadal is relentless in returning and his hard work pays off to win the point. At 30-30, the Argentine hits a massive serve Nadal can’t return and then Nadal’s forehand down the left goes wide.
*Rafael Nadal 6-4 2-1 Francisco Cerundolo
Nadal opens his body up to hit a lovely forehand winner as Cerundolo can only watch on, feet rooted to the grass. Another two big serves go Nadal’s way before a forehand winner kisses the line to make it a second consecutive hold to love.
Rafael Nadal 6-4 1-1 *Francisco Cerundolo
Anything Rafa can do, Francisco can do. The Argentine gets a hold to love of his own.
*Rafael Nadal 6-4 1-0 Francisco Cerundolo
Nadal begins the second set with two massive serves, the first an ace. Start as you mean to go on? It’s a hold to love.
✅ 2022 French Open.
✅ 2022 Australian Open.
❓ 2022 Wimbledon.🇪🇸 Rafael Nadal’s #Wimbledon campaign is officially underway – he hasn’t won the Championship since 2010, and has a lower win ratio (78%) on grass than any other surface. pic.twitter.com/YCWFZ8Pzc1
— 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐍𝐞𝐰𝐬 UK 🇬🇧 (@sportingnewsuk) June 28, 2022
Rafael Nadal 6-4 *Francisco Cerundolo – NADAL WINS FIRST SET
No sign of nerves from Cerundolo as he plays a drop shot to win the opener and then takes the second. Nadal gets fortunate with the ball clipping the net to get back to 30-30. Cerundolo is forced to play a lob shot as Nadal charges to the net but it’s out and he has set point. Cerundolo responds with a huge serve to stay in the set. At the second time of asking though, Nadal gets his full power behind a double-handed backhand and the Spaniard takes the opening set.
*Rafael Nadal 5-4 Francisco Cerundolo
Nadal’s backhand down the line goes long at 15-15 but he’s convinced it’s in and challenges. He was right to. Nadal’s standards slip with some unforced errors of his own making and Cerundolo has two break points. That rare opportunity comes and goes in the blink of an eye as the Spaniard rattles off three straight points. Nadal double faults to give Cerundolo another opportunity but he can’t capitalise. Two big serves later and Nadal holds.
Rafael Nadal 4-4 *Francisco Cerundolo
Nadal thinks he’s won the opening point with a fierce forehand but Cerundolo returns one down the line with even more pace. Cerundolo gets his first double fault of the match but forces Nadal into slicing a backhand into the net to eventually hold.
*Rafael Nadal 4-3 Francisco Cerundolo
Two big serves put Nadal two points to the good before he overhits a forehand down the middle. Cerundolo comes to the net on the fourth point but Nadal does brilliantly to find the gap to the Argentine’s right. Cerundolo then hits a lovely forehand winner to bring the score to 30-40 before Nadal delivers a huge serve to hold.
Rafael Nadal 3-3 *Francisco Cerundolo
The best way for Nadal to put a break of serve behind him is to up his game. He does so to go 0-30 up but Cerundolo levels. A delicate drop shot spinning away from Nadal evades the Spaniard on the next point before they arrive at the first deuce of the match. Cerundolo holds.
*Rafael Nadal 3-2 Francisco Cerundolo
Nadal double faults the first point and is then given the runaround by Cerundolo to fall 0-30 behind. An overhit forehand gifts the Argentine three break points. Nadal saves the first with a volley at the net but Cerundolo slams home the next. He breaks back immediately.
Rafael Nadal 3-1 *Francisco Cerundolo
A backhand down the line from Nadal forces Cerundolo into an awkward backhand of his own which goes wide at 15-30. Nadal remains patient in his rallies over the next two points and has an early break.
*Rafael Nadal 2-1 Francisco Cerundolo
Cerundolo plays a sweet drop shot that Nadal doesn’t even attempt to reach to go 15-30 up. Nadal gains control thanks to back-to-back errors from Cerundolo as the Argentine then hits another shot long.
Rafael Nadal 1-1 *Francisco Cerundolo
Nadal fails to return his opponent’s opening two serves and then sees an ace fly past him. Nadal gets the fourth over the net but it’s beyond the base line.
*Rafael Nadal 1-0 Francisco Cerundolo
Nadal gets the first point of the match following a lengthy rally and then picks up his first ace on only his third serve. Cerundolo gets two points of his own but Nadal finishes the game with a neat volley at the net.
Centre Court roars for Rafa#Wimbledon | #CentreCourt100 pic.twitter.com/i2FMtR8Pu5
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) June 28, 2022
3:15pm: Both players enter the court to a warm welcome. The sun is shining, the roof is off and Nadal’s quest for an incredible 23rd Grand Slam is about to begin. First up is 23-year-old and world No.41 Cerundolo.
3:05pm: Iga Świątek has just dismantled Croatian qualifier Jana Fett 6-0, 6-3 to reach the second round so Nadal and Cerundolo will be on court any minute now.
2.50 pm: Hello and welcome to The Sporting News’ live coverage of Centre Court action at Wimbledon where we’ll be bringing you game-by-game commentary of Rafael Nadal’s match against Francisco Cerundolo.
The 2022 Australian and French Open champion is making his first appearance at SW19 since 2019 and he’s sure to get a huge reception when he takes to the court shortly.
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