ARTICLES:

• Nadal Battles Past 2012 Conqueror Rosol For Wimbledon Third Round Berth (via ATP World Tour)

“Maybe if I lost that set point in the second set, if that forehand down the line went out, maybe I would be [sitting] here with a loss,” said Nadal. But that’s the sport. That forehand was a perfect forehand for that moment. Even if I was losing, I was fighting for every ball. I was fighting mentally, physically.

• Rafael Nadal survives scare against Lukas Rosol at Wimbledon (via BBC)

John McEnroe on Nadal’s win: “How do you teach will, desire, not to quit in any circumstances? you don’t see this often, once every 10 years if you’re lucky. Nadal has made other guys better trying to compete with him. In the definition of ‘where there’s a will there’s a way’ he’s the picture you’re going to see.”

• Nadal, maestro de lo imposible (via El Pais)

“Intenté seguir luchando, buscando mi momento”, dice el ganador tras abandonar la pista. “Hice algunos errores en el 4-4 del primer set [perdió el servicio] pero estaba jugando bien. Recuperar el break en el segundo set y ganarlo fue muy importante. Jugando contra un gran sacador como Rosol con dos sets de desventaja habría estado en mucho peligro”, añade. “Estoy cansado, pasé mucha tensión. Respondí bien a los problemas”.

• Serving It Cold (via tennis.com)

In Paris, Rafa worked himself into his best form after losing the first set of his quarterfinal to David Ferrer. This was the same David Ferrer who had beaten him the last time they had played, in Monte Carlo. Today Nadal worked himself into fine form after losing the first set to Lukas Rosol. This was the same Lukas Rosol who had beaten the last time they played at Wimbledon. Maybe “revenges” do have their uses, after all.

• Rafael Nadal Fights Off Lukas Rosol, a Wimbledon Nemesis (via NY Times)

Nadal, never comfortable in the match, celebrated with an unusually hearty yell and a leap uncharacteristic of a first-week victory over an unseeded opponent. Then again, no Wimbledon favorite is finding the route through the bracket so treacherous.

• Rafael Nadal exorcised his Wimbledon demons (via USA Today)

The Nadals wanted it. The Nadals needed it. This was only a second-round match, but it’s the kind that can be a springboard toward something greater. Mental roadblocks passed, Nadal’s draw opens up. Ivo Karlovic is out, as is Richard Gasquet. Nadal’s fourth-round opponent will be either 19-year-old Nick Kyrgios or 20-year-old Jiri Vesely. Either would be the youngest remaining player in the field. If the seeds hold, he’d face Milos Raonic in the quarterfinal.

• Rafael Nadal rallies, into 3rd round (via ESPN)

While Nadal celebrated, his coach and uncle, Toni, leapt out of his seat in the guest box, shouted “Vamos!” and pumped his fist three times. “I just wanted to keep fighting and wait for my moment,” Nadal said.

• Rafael Nadal v Lukas Rosol – as it happened (via The Guardian)
• Wimbledon 2014: Best of day four (via BBC)

Marion Bartoli: “It’s amazing how passionate Nadal still is. He is well aware of what this court means and he was so keen this time to get the win (after losing last time). He gives his best every time he is on the court. Everyone loves him. He is so respectful of everyone. A little word on the practice court, a nice hello or a few words. He is gorgeous and amazing!”

One Direction singer Liam Payne // Karwai Tang/WireImage

Downton Abbey actress Michelle Dockery // Karwai Tang/WireImage

One Direction singer Niall Horan // Karwai Tang/WireImage

PHOTOS:

• Rafael Nadal beats Lukas Rosol to reach Wimbledon third round

VIDEOS:

• Rafael Nadal v Lukas Rosol – Wimbledon 2014 – Round 2
• Highlights Day 4: Nadal battles past nemesis Rosol (via Wimbledon)
• Lukas Rosol knocks over Rafael Nadal’s water bottle
• Interview with Rafael Nadal