On a gloomy No.1 Court shortly before 6.00pm, Rafa stepped out to face British no.4 Alex Bogdanovic. Despite a very gutsy challenge from Bogdanovic, Rafa came through 6-4, 7-6(3), 6-4.

Wearing the traditional Wimbledon white with just a touch of black, rafa played a super game at 4-4 in the first set to break Bogdanovic. On his fourth break point Rafa fired a backhand pass past Bogdanovic and served out in style to take the opening set 6-4.

Rafa got a seemingly crucial break of serve at 1-1 in the second set as Bogdanovic sent a forehand wide. However Bogdanovic continued to fight hard and he got his just rewards for his efforts at 5-4, with Rafa serving for the set, the young Brit broke back with a big backhand on break point. He forced Rafa into a tie break but the young Mallorcan played the big points better and in the fading light he succeeded in taking a two set lead.

Bogdanovic refused to give in without a fight and he pushed Rafa all the way in the third set and at 5-4 it looked as though a second tie break would take place. But Rafa upped his level when it mattered and a high class forehand volley sealed the match for Rafa on his first match point.

Next up for Rafa is American Robert Kendrick. Stay tuned for all the latest from SW16.
Go Rafa!

Written by: Kate Flory

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