Rafa Nadal is currently in the Wimbledon quarterfinals. This round has been his best. For the eighth time in her remarkable career, she was in the top eight on grass in London. The feeling was enhanced by the fact that she had reached cruising speed on a surface which always holds something new to her, and even more so after having not shot on the green since the third Grand Slam. Botic van der Zandschulp was one of the highlights of the tournament. He is undoubtedly the greatest player to ever have played on the grand stages of tennis.
Nadal, who was the last hope for the ‘Spanish Armada at Wimbledon’, stepped on Center Court once again after Badosa’s devastating loss to Halep. He will be facing a tennis player with a name that is almost impossible to pronounce and very little experience at the first level. However, he has more grass playing experience than the Balearic since reaching the semifinals of Queens and participating in the Mallorca Tournament. The Spaniard was not confident in his opponent’s quick game. He had defeated Sonego earlier in Roland Garros this year.
He was firm in his service and very close to the break in the premiere with the opponent’s serve. It was patience and maturing the break of his adversary service that gave him the opportunity. While he was aware of his virtues, he wasn’t able to find the key to counter them. He waited far behind the rival serve. Although the first set appeared to be on its way to the tie break, you already know the significance of the Nadal zone. When the moments of truth are near, the Manacor one activates a special power. It was the tenth match of the match. He won the first quarter. Due to pressure, there were two ‘break’ balls. Therefore, a set was formed after Van de Zandschulp’s double fault. Too much concession for the victor-eater’s hunger. The Dutchman saved the first match, but his second ‘passing’ was too long and the match went downhill for the two-time Wimbledon champion (4-6).
The advantage didn’t seem to affect Wageningen’s morale, as he was able to challenge one of the best and reach the quarterfinals at the US Open 2021. This would be his historic ceiling. Nadal was unable to serve his first serve with his first break ball, but the one signing the opponent’s service broke was almost always the winner. Another blow of force at the exact moment, and he was in control of the second set. To regain his confidence in his serve and all the qualities that had helped him reach 25th in the ATP ranking, he had to finish 0-3 behind Van de Zandschulp. But it was too late. Even under some comfort, Nadal was inaccessible. Nadal closed the set with another alien error, this one a double fault. He made it 2-6, forcing his opponent to perform Homeric heroics.
With a ‘break of pride’, the Dutchman rebelled against adversity, but his revolt only lasted a few breaths, and Nadal had to return the coin to the original exchange. The Spanish hit was the 2-3, but it wasn’t enough to win the match. Interestingly, the Manacor one failed to serve and the match ended. Van de Zandschulp took him into custody to force the tiebreaker, save three match balls and before he died with his boots on. Now, let’s talk about American Taylor Fritz. There are still accounts from Indian Wells’ final (3-6 and 6-6) Another incentive to the Spanish last hope at Wimbledon.
