Supreme Nadal thrashes Berdych to scoop second Wimbledon crown
WORLD No1 Rafael Nadal joked after claiming his second Wimbledon singles title that he might fly to South Africa to watch his native Spain play in Sunday’s World Cup final.
They are not there yet – they face a daunting semi-final with Germany on Wednesday – but if they can muster a performance of the authority, ruthlessness and sheer athleticism that their countryman conjured against Tomas Berdych yesterday then they surely will be.
Nadal picked up against Berdych where he left off against Andy Murray on Friday, defying the Czech’s reputation as a giant-killer to overwhelm the 12th seed 6-3, 7-5, 6-4 and take his tally of Grand Slam victories to eight.
“I would love to be there [the World Cup], it’s my favourite sport,” said the 24-year-old, who celebrated his win by performing a forward roll across the court. “I have to think. I don’t know, it’s very far. I am a crazy fan of football, and for sure a big supporter of our team.”
Nadal’s success follows victory at Roland Garros earlier this year and means he has now completed the French Open-Wimbledon double, for so long considered the ultimate achievement, twice in three years.
“How crazy is life?” he added. “It is difficult but if you have experience and a lot of matches on grass that helps you.”
The Mallorcan’s first Wimbledon title came in 2008 when he defeated Roger Federer in an astonishing five-set contest, and he admitted that would always take some beating.
“It is difficult to say this one is more special. The other one was more dramatic in the way I won. So the first title is always very, very special,” said Nadal, who was injured last year.
“But for sure after a difficult year for me to be back at my favourite tournament and to finish with the trophy is amazing for me.
“It was very difficult for me to be back at my best after injury. But I did it, so it is a very important and emotional moment for me.”
Berdych upset top seed Roger Federer and third seed Novak Djokovic on his way to the final but rarely troubled Nadal, who broke him in the seventh game of the first set.
The Spaniard had to fend off break points early in the second, but took that too when Berdych’s nerve failed him with a tie-break approaching.
Nadal wrapped up the win by again striking at the decisive moment, forcing championship point at 5-4 and taking it with a vicious forehand before collapsing to the turf.
The difference was that he took his chances and I didn’t, admits Berdych
BEATEN finalist Tomas Berdych was left to rue missed chances after failing to pull off one last upset against Rafael Nadal.
Berdych, who caused a stir by eliminating Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic on his path to the final, never looked like beating the Spaniard.
The Czech 12th seed had chances to break Nadal early in the second and third sets but could not see them through, and paid the ultimate price.
“The biggest difference between us was when he got the chance he took it,” said the 24-year-old, the first male Czech finalist at Wimbledon since Ivan Lendl lost to Pat Cash in 1987.
“He gave me chances in the second and third sets and I couldn’t make the break. It just shows how strong he is.”
Berdych has enjoyed an encouraging spring, having reached the French Open semi-finals, where he lost to Robin Soderling, and is now close to equalling his career-high world ranking of nine.
“I’m climbing higher and higher but I can still go a little bit more,” Berdych added. “I just need more tournaments and more matches. I need to grow up a little, get a bit more experienced and be more patient on court.”