Nadal survives scare to progress at Artois Championships
Rafael Nadal came through a tough match
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Thursday, 12, Jun 2008 09:09
Rafael Nadal was forced to play three sets against young Japanese star Kei Nishikori before coming through 6-4 3-6 6-3 at the Artois Championships.
The world number two comfortably won the first set by breaking Nishikori once and playing some trademark winners to take the set 6-4.
Nadal seemed to relax in the second set and his intensity dropped. Nishikori managed to gain five break point opportunities before taking one. The 18-year-old withstood a barrage of hard-hitting from Nadal while serving, but he held on to square the match.
The Queens' club crowd were on the edge of their seats in anticipation of a major upset, but Nadal raised his game in the deciding set and came through 6-3.
Nadal will face big-serving Ivo Karlovic in the next round after the Croat beat Fernando Gonzalez 6-3 7-5.
British number one Andy Murray will face defending champion Andy Roddick in round four after the American had an easy win over compatriot Mardy Fish.
Roddick had taken the first set 7-6, but then Fish was forced to retire after suffering an ankle injury.
World number three Novak Djokovic had to come from a set down to beat his good friend Janko Tipsarevic.
The Serbian star looked out of sorts in the first and lost it 6-2. He however hit back in typical fighting Djokovic fashion and took the next two sets 6-1 6-4.