Cold Blooded Rosol Knocks Out Nadal

Until today, Lukas Rosol was a no-name on the ATP tour. However, a stunning display against world number 2 and recent French Open champion, Rafael Nadal, in the second round at Wimbledon would change all that. Showing nerves of steel, serving impeccable and hitting some killer groundstrokes, the Czech shocked Nadal, succumbing the Spaniard's resistance for an epic 6-7,6-4,6-4,2-6,6-4 victory. 

Lukas might have been ranked number 100 in the world before Wimbledon, but he played this match like a genuine top 4 contestant. The way he served for the match was sublime. While many crumbled under pressure, Rosol kept his cold blood, serving three aces to seal to love the biggest win of his career. “Before the last game, I was not sure if I will be shaking or not because it was the first time against Rafa and the first time also in Wimbledon Centre Court,” he said. “You never know what to expect, so it was not easy, and I survived." Commenting on what the result means to him, Lukas concluded: "Today I was somewhere else and I'm really happy for this. Still, I cannot find the words. I still can't believe it. It's like a dream for me.”

Nadal's loss marks the end of a disappointing grass-court season. After failing to Philipp Kohlschreiber in the quarterfinals in Halle, this is going to be the first year since 2005 that the Spaniard will not contest the Wimbledon final (in 2009 he did not participate due to an injury). With the Olympics just around the corner, Rafa needs to adjust his game immediately if he wants to stand a chance of repeating his 2008 Beijing triumph.

Rosol became the only player to beat Nadal in the first week of a Slam since Gilles Müller achieved the same feat at the 2005 Wimbledon. The loss also marks the Spaniard's first Wimbledon defeat before the final since that 2005 edition.

photos: GETTY IMAGES