Nadal sees off Fish
Nadal has three successive French Open titles to his name
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Tuesday, 26, Jun 2007 11:09
Rafael Nadal has made it through to the second round at Wimbledon after easing aside a stubborn Mardy Fish 6-3 7-6 6-3 on Centre Court.
Traditionally a clay-court specialist, Nadal served notice of his intention to go one better than last tear's runner-up spot as he continues to find his feet on grass.
The Spanish 21-year-old ground out a break in the first through remorseless baseline excellence.
It proved enough to put him into the lead and the second proved just as tightly-fought before Fish eventually paid for a misjudged decision to leave a Nadal forehand that dipped just inside the line at 4-4 in the tiebreak.
Nadal made heavy weather of the final set as he was forced to pull back a break before going ahead after a successful call on the Hawk-Eye technology in the eighth game.
A powerful service game vanquished the American for good and Austrian Werner Eschauer now awaits in the second round.
"I am happy with the win but it's just the first match. I felt very comfortable on court but it is just the first round, the French Open champion said.
"I returned very well. "There was just one moment in the third set when my serve went off. But that's normal."