![\"rafael](\"https:\/\/indiansportsnews.co.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/06\/rafael-nadal-french-open.jpg\")
LONDON: 2017 French Open champion Rafael Nadal fired 41 winners to beat Karen Khachanov 6-1, 6-4, 7-6(3) on Centre Court to move into the last 16 of Wimbledon Championship for the first time since 2014, here on Friday.<\/p>\nLONDON: 2017 French Open champion Rafael Nadal fired 41 winners to beat Karen Khachanov 6-1, 6-4, 7-6(3) on Centre Court to move into the last 16 of Wimbledon Championship for the first time since 2014, here on Friday.<\/p>\n
Nadal was at his best for the first two sets, winning it 6-1, 6-4 against the No. 30 seed in front of a capacity crowd. Khachanov however ame back strong in a closely fought third set, but Nadal eventually triumphed 6-1, 6-4, 7-6(3) in two hours and 15 minutes for a place in the fourth round.<\/p>\n
“For a set and a half I was playing fantastic, then a little bit worse,” said Nadal. “But in general terms, it went very well and I’m very happy. At the beginning of the third set, I had my chances. I should have got the break. It didn’t happen. Then, I had two tough games on my serve. That’s it. I think I played well in the important moments. In the tie-break, I think I played a little bit better than him.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, top seed Andy Murray got the better of Fabio Fognini in their third-round clash on Friday at Wimbledon. The defending champion rallied from 2-5 in the fourth set, saving five set points to prevail over the 28th seed Fognini 6-2, 4-6, 6-1, 7-5 in two hours and 39 minutes.<\/p>\n
\u201cI didn’t feel like I played my best tennis, but I won and I got through it. That’s a really positive thing,\u201d said Murray. \u201cNow I’ve got two days to work on some things, rest up a little bit, and get used to the conditions that we’re playing in now. I’m obviously pleased to be in the second week. Anything can happen from here.\u201d<\/p>\n
Grigor Dimitrov is also through to the fourth round of The Championships at Wimbledon after his opponent, Dudi Sela, was forced to retire with Dimitrov leading 6-1, 6-1 on Saturday.<\/p>\n
VENUS, AZARENKA, KONTA MAKE IT TO FOURTH ROUND<\/p>\n
37-year-old Venus Williams became the oldest woman after Martina Navratilova to reach the fourth round at Wimbledon with her 7-6 (3), 6-4 victory over 19-year-old Naomi Osaka on Friday.<\/p>\n
“It’s interesting, for sure,” Williams said of the 18-year age gap between her and Osaka. “But I guess when you walk on the court, I don’t think either of us is thinking about the age. You’re thinking about, ‘How do I win?’<\/p>\n
The five-time champion will next face 27th-seeded Ana Konjuh. Konjuh ousted No. 8 seed Dominika Cibulkova 7-6 (3), 3-6, 6-4 to reach the fourth round at Wimbledon for the first time.<\/p>\n
In other matches Friday, Victoria Azarenka advanced to the fourth round by beating Heather Watson 3-6, 6-1, 6-4 on Centre Court. The two-time Grand Slam champion will next face No. 2 seed Simona Halep in the fourth round on Monday. Halep beat Peng Shuai 6-4, 7-6 (7).<\/p>\n
Sixth-seeded Johanna Konta got the better of Maria Sakkari 6-4, 6-1 to become the first British woman to reach the Round of 16 since Laura Robson in 2013.<\/p>\n
Also advancing to the fourth round are fourth-seeded Elina Svitolina, who beat Carina Witthoeft 6-1, 7-5; No. 13 seed Jelena Ostapenko, who ousted Italian Camila Giorgi 7-5, 7-5; and 21st-seeded Caroline Garcia, who won 21 of 27 net points in a 6-4, 6-3 victory over Madison Brengle.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
LONDON: 2017 French Open champion Rafael Nadal fired 41 winners to beat Karen Khachanov 6-1, 6-4, 7-6(3) on Centre Court to move into the last 16 of Wimbledon Championship for the first time since 2014, here on Friday.<\/p>\n
Nadal was at his best for the first two sets, winning it 6-1, 6-4 against the No. 30 seed in front of a capacity crowd. Khachanov however ame back strong in a closely fought third set, but Nadal eventually triumphed 6-1, 6-4, 7-6(3) in two hours and 15 minutes for a place in the fourth round.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":14934,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":true,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"tdm_status":"","tdm_grid_status":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[34],"tags":[1445,466,562,1345,2579,5010],"class_list":["post-35112","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-world-tennis-news","tag-andy-murray","tag-indian-sports-news","tag-rafael-nadal","tag-tennis","tag-venus-williams","tag-wimbledon"],"yoast_head":"\n