Wimbledon 2011: Rafael Nadal looks to continue momentum

Following on from his heroics against Roger Federer in the final of the French Open, world No. 1 Rafael Nadal looked slightly off-colour as he edged past Radek Stepanek in the third round of the Aegon Championships 6-3 5-7 6-1. Given the Spaniard’s scintillating form which bagged him his tenth Grand Slam victory in Paris last week, it is perhaps understandable that he was nowhere near his best – especially given the fact he may still be getting back into the swing of things following his bye through the last round. Those who have placed a Wimbledon tennis bet 2011 on him won’t be too concerned.

However, when all is said and done though, Nadal did what he does best and won, ensuring his progress to the next stage of the event. That result means that he will continue his preparation for Wimbledon against Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the quarter final, who arrives at the last-eight stage via a rather more comfortable route having vanquished Michael Llodra when his opponent retired through injury with the score still going with serve at 4-3 in the first set.

As defending champion of Wimbledon, the prestigious grass court event which begins on June 20th in London and must certainly be at the back of his mind, and as the tournament draws ever closer, Nadal will be keen to rid his game of the uncharacteristic mistakes which plagued his latest performance. The pair had never previously met on grass, and the transition from clay to the faster surface employed by the Queen’s Club had Nadal looking somewhat unsure of his footwork in both the first and second sets, before asserting his authority in the third. The Wimbledon tennis odds suggest he should be in better form come the big event.

This slightly lacklustre showing will certainly give the Spaniard’s Wimbledon rivals plenty of encouragement following the inevitable sense of dread they must have been feeling as they watched him take apart the game plans of Murray and Federer last week – for once he looked human.

However, this rare glimpse of vulnerability will almost certainly not last, such is his pedigree at Grand Slam events, and he will be keen to both reinforce his reputation as the greatest player on the circuit at present, as well as chasing down Pete Sampras’ record of seven men’s Wimbledon singles titles.