25 Jun 2010

Rafa battles at Wimbledon

6:01 pm on 25 June 2010

World men's tennis number one Rafael Nadal was forced to battle for Wimbledon survival before extinguishing Dutch firebrand Robin Haase with a 5 set second round victory.

The 2008 champion found the resolve to come through a stern examination from the unshaven, tousled 23-year-old Haase who, like Nadal, has struggled with a troublesome knee injury that has stymied his career.

Champion Roger Federer struggled during his first two rounds and it was Nadal's turn to flirt with danger. But his will to win and greater experience on grass finally ended Haase's challenge on Centre Court.

The number two seed will now take on Philipp Petzschner or Poland's Lukasz Kubot in the third round.