WIMBLEDON 2017
Murray, Nadal and Venus sail on but heartbreak for Kvitova
Andy Murray, Rafael Nadal and Venus Williams breezed into the third round at Wimbledon on Wednesday, while fellow former champion Petra Kvitova tumbled out.
Andy Murray, Rafael Nadal and Venus Williams breezed into the third round at Wimbledon on Wednesday, while fellow former champion Petra Kvitova tumbled out.
Williams, Kei Nishikori and Johanna Konta had to grind their way into the last 32, while new mum Victoria Azarenka continued her comeback bid for Grand Slam glory.
Dustin Brown, the dreadlocked German with Jamaican roots, knocked out Nadal in the second round two years ago at the All England Club.
However, world number one Murray was not caught out by his extrovert drop shots, racing to a ruthless 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 victory on Centre Court.
"Once I got the break in the first set, I felt the momentum was with me. I started to see the shots he was going to play a little but quicker and that allowed me to get to some of the drop volleys," the British star said.
Next up for Murray is a clash with colourful Italian 28th seed Fabio Fognini.
Rafa through in straight sets
Fourth seed Nadal, fresh from winning a historic 10th French Open, had a comfortable ride against fellow left-hander Donald Young of the United States, the Spaniard winning 6-4, 6-2, 7-5.
He faces Russian 30th seed Karen Khachanov next.
"I'm happy now, it's great to be back in the third round without losing a set," Nadal said.
Kvitova out
Two-time champion Petra Kvitova, the bookmakers' title favourite, lost 6-3, 1-6, 6-2 to Madison Brengle of the United States.
Kvitova, playing in her second Grand Slam since recovering from a terrifying knife attack in her home, needed medical assistance during the third set.
"I just could not breathe, and I was feeling a bit sick," the Czech 11th seed said. "I felt like an animal. But a very slow animal."
Troubled US five-time champion Venus Williams survived a scare against Chinese rising star Wang Qiang, eventually winning 4-6, 6-4, 6-1.
Williams is trying to concentrate on tennis against the backdrop of impending legal action back home over a fatal car crash.
"The past is something that you can't change, if it was good or bad. I like to live in the future. I don't want to think about the past, per se. It's done," she said.
Williams next faces Japan's Naomi Osaka, who ousted Czech 22nd seed Barbora Strycova.