Rafael Nadal has recorded a straight-sets win over Mikhail Kukushkin to reach the third round at Wimbledon.
The 17-time Grand Slam champion defeated the Kazakh 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 to set up a meeting with Aussie teenager Alex De Minaur in the next phase.
After the match, Rafa said:
A detail of Rafael Nadal’s shoes during play against Mikhail Kukushkin KAZ in the second round of the Gentlemen’s Singles on Centre Court. The Championships 2018. Held at The All England Lawn Tennis Club, Wimbledon. Day 4 Thursday 05/07/2018. Credit: AELTC/Jed Leicester
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A detail of Rafael Nadal’s headband during play against Mikhail Kukushkin KAZ in the second round of the Gentlemen’s Singles on Centre Court. The Championships 2018. Held at The All England Lawn Tennis Club, Wimbledon. Day 4 Thursday 05/07/2018. Credit: AELTC/Jed Leicester
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Michael Steele/Getty Images
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Chaz Niell/Icon Sportswire
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Mikhail Kukushkin KAZ v Rafael Nadal ESP in the second round of the Gentlemen’s Singles on Centre Court. The Championships 2018. Held at The All England Lawn Tennis Club, Wimbledon. Day 4 Thursday 05/07/2018. Credit: AELTC/Tim Clayton
Michael Steele/Getty Images
Daniel Leal-Olivias/AFP
Daniel Leal-Olivias/AFP
Mikhail Kukushkin KAZ v Rafael Nadal ESP in the second round of the Gentlemen’s Singles on Centre Court. The Championships 2018. Held at The All England Lawn Tennis Club, Wimbledon. Day 4 Thursday 05/07/2018. Credit: AELTC/Tim Clayton
Michael Steele/Getty Images
Michael Steele/Getty Images
Congrats champ Rafa. I hope on your next match it won’t take that long as it makes you feel so tired. The lesser time you make it the better. But am glad your on to the next match. Vamos Rafa. God bless you always. Cheers ^J^
Great that Rafa got the win, but he had to work hard and he gave his opponent the luxury of too many break points. I want to see a sharper match from him in the next round.
Congrats-stay aggressive in round 3💪👊👏❤️
Happy for the win but Rafa has still a lot work to do. All the best for the next round. Vamos Rafa <3
Waiting Rafa to pick up his level..wud have loved Nick and novak in feds draw..he has the easiest path to the final after cilic is gone..want Rafa in beastode from now on.lot to improve.. the gud thing is that he won even not playing great..
I was scanning channels and i just caught an interview with Rafa and goodness knows who –
he was saying he may not be able to play the Laver Cup this year due to an important semi final he has to play for the Davis Cup. But he hadnt made the final decision yet. It’s watch this space i suppose.
Susie, I think Rafa is just being diplomatic. It will be really hard for him to play after the Davis Cup. Even if it were in Europe instead of Chicago. I think Roger is okay with it since having Roger, Novak and Rafa is one alpha male too many. Roger is already playing doubles with Novak. I loved the LC last year, but if Rafa had to choose, I would say DC.
Oh i agree. Glad i went to Prague and saw him there – it was the only reason i went. I would be gutted if I’d got tickets and he’d pulled out of Prague. But we shall see.
Rafa Congratulations on your R2 match today.
It was a hard game on you. Have a time to rest and reflect on todays’ .match.
Vamos my King of Tennis
I defer to Rafa, but I thought he missed too many easy points. I did not see him, but I heard that Uncle Toni was in the VIP section. Moya is not expected back until the USO according to John McEnroe. A win is a win and I am so happy for Rafa.
VAMOS RAFA Buena suerte para tu proximo encuntro.
Congratulation very well played match keep aggressive i know you can do it
Well done Rafa!
CONGRATULATIONS SWEETHEART!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) FANTASTIC THREE SETS VICTORY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) LOVE YOU & LOVE YOUR CLASSY TENNIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX
Congratulations Rafa ❤️🤗
Best of luck in round 3 🍀
– Looking forward to it 😘
VAMOS CHAMP! 🎾💪🏼😃
Vamos Rafa, siempre contigo!
Not the greatest of matches but a win is a win and in straight sets. Well done Rafa. Looking forward to round 3.