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Rafael Nadal versus Lukas Rosol – Wimbledon 2012

Rafael Nadal

Rafael Nadal is a professional tennis player. During his carrier he managed to win eleven Grand Slam titles including two Wimbledon victories. He holds an impressive record of seven French Open titles. Since 2005, Nadal lost only one match there (2009 – 4th round – Robin Soderling). He also won Olympic gold medal in 2008 and four Davis Cup titles Nadal is known for his aggressive defence, specific upper spin and rather rare left-handed forehand. Being born as a right-handed person, his uncle Tony Nadal changed it for tennis purposes. He spent 102 weeks as the number one of the ATP ranking.

Lukas Rosol

Lukas Rosol is yet to reach 4th round of Grand Slam tournament. He is the owner of 13 Challenger titles and one ATP 250 title from singles. He was the part of the winning team for the Czech Republic at the 2012 Davis Cup season, although actively participating only while results were decided. In 2013, he bears a greater responsibility, as he was an active member of the Czech team in the first as well as the second round of Davis Cup season. Rosol is purely offensive player. He plays hard ground-strokes and possesses strong serves. With 196 cm, he is able to reach plenty of balls on the net. His highest ranking was 35.

Before the Match

Nadal, who won his seventh French Open title a couple of weeks prior to Wimbledon, was ranked as number 2 coming to the match. His confidence was lowered by grass specialist Philipp Kohlschreiber who beat him at Halle championship at the last tournament before Wimbledon. Nadal had little problems beating Thomaz Bellucci in the first round. Rosol’s ranking was 100. He had not won a Wimbledon match till the first round of Wimbledon 2012 where he beat Ivan Dodig in four sets.

The Match

From the very beginning of the match Rosol set the tone when he hit the ball very hard and was able to keep with Nadal but lost in the tiebreak. He reciprocated with winning the next two sets. Nadal seemed to have bounced back when he won easily the fourth set by six games to two. Then the game was paused due to the darkness and both players had to wait till the roof was shut and the deciding set could begin. Rosol started well when he immediately broke Spaniard’s serve. He closed the match on his serve, when he hit three aces and one winner.

After the Match

Lukas Rosol did not use a momentum in the next round and fell easily to Philip Kohlschreiber in straight sets. His victory remains as one of the biggest upsets in Grand Slam history. Nadal disappeared from the courts for more than half a year due to knee injury, having to withdraw from Olympic Games, US Open, Australian Open and Davis Cup final ironically enough against the Czechs with Rosol being on the team.