Murray and Nadal win, Kvitova out
LONDON: Andy Murray, Rafael Nadal and Venus Williams breezed into the third round at Wimbledon on Wednesday, while fellow former champion Petra Kvitova tumbled out.
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 No.1 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.
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.
“I’m happy now, it’s great to be back in the third round without losing a set,” Nadal said.
“I take it easy now, just trying to enjoy every moment. I’m having a great season.”
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 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.
Williams next faces Japan’s Naomi Osaka, who ousted Czech 22nd seed Barbora Strycova.
British sixth seed Johanna Konta reached the Wimbledon third round for the first time with a marathon 7-6 (8/6), 4-6, 10-8 win over Donna Vekic which left her opponent in tears.
Kei Nishikori dug deep to keep his Wimbledon hopes alive as the Japanese ninth seed ground out a 6-4, 6-7 (7/9), 6-1, 7-6 (8/6) win over Ukrainian qualifier Sergiy Stakhovsky. He next faces Spanish 18th seed Roberto Bautista Agut.
Sam Querrey and his fellow seeds Marin Cilic, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, Gilles Muller, Steve Johnson made it through.
Russia’s Daniil Medvedev, who had knocked out world No.3 Stan Wawrinka, crashed out to Belgian qualifier Ruben Bemelmans.
In the women’s draw, second seed Simona Halep went through in straight sets, while fellow seeds Elina Svitolina (4th) and Dominika Cibulkova (8th) also made it.
French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko joined them in the third round with a late evening three-set win over Canadian qualifier Francoise Abanda.
Spain’s David Ferrer was on court only briefly yesterday as second round opponent Steve Darcis retired injured.
Ferrer, twice a quarter-finalist at the grasscourt Grand Slam, was leading 3-0 when Belgium’s Darcis cried off with a back injury.