It wasn't easy, but the new second-favorite to win the Wimbledon Championships, Rafael Nadal, got past Francisco Cerundolo in a four-set first round match.
When Nadal got past a tough first set in which he saved numerous break points, it seemed as if the legend was going to cruise to victory. Nadal was finding a rhythm and playing excellent tennis.
Just beautiful 🙌 @RafaelNadal
📹: @Wimbledon | #Wimbledonpic.twitter.com/PrVuzkIbjy
— ATP Tour (@atptour) June 28, 2022
Nadal was such a heavy favorite at that point that oddsmakers didn't even have a moneyline option on the board.
He got out to a two set and a break lead before things got dicey.
The young Argentine Cerundolo broke back before securing the third set and taking a break advantage in the fourth. Cerundolo also had chances at a double-break lead, but he wasn't able to find it.
Nadal roared back in the fourth set and dominated from that point on to win the match.
At the tightest part of the match, when Cerundolo was attempting to secure a double-break advantage in the fourth set, Nadal's moneyline price dipped below -400.
After Nadal's win, and more importantly after the news of Matteo Berrettini's withdrawal from the Championships due to COVID, Nadal has dropped to +500 to win the tournament, per FanDuel.
Nadal is listed only behind Novak Djokovic to win Wimbledon, as the three-time reigning champion is dominant on grass.
