Narked Nadal berates Sonego at net after straight sets win on Centre Court

By Paul Lagan on Centre Court, Wimbledon

Nadal v Sonego

6-1, 6-2, 6-4

Rafa Nadal swept aside his Italian opponent with contemptuous ease on Centre Court this evening, but exchanged what seemed like heated words with Lorenzo Sonego at the end of the match.

Rather than the usual meeting at the net, a pat on the back and a ‘well done,’ Nadal appeared to berate the Italian.

One can only assume it was for the way he played to the crowd, waving his arms up as if to demand support and tried to get them excited.

It’s a growing trend in the game, and one the crowed seem happy to embrace.

It had a minor effect as it led to Nadal losing a serve in the third set, but did not ultimately affect the result.

The referee allowed the exchange to go on for about a minute, before finally calling a halt to it.

It was the only real drama of the match as Nadal outclassed his power-serving opponent. 

Lorenzo Sonego, seeded 27 to Nadal’s two, never really got a foothold in the match and lost serves early in each set which made the task of winning virtually impossible.

His only chance and it was slim at best was to take advantage late in the third set when Nadal,was 4-2 up.

He successfully called for the roof to be closed. With it his energy level went up a notch and he won his serve, before breaking Nadal’s for the one and only time in the match.

That got Nadal riled and he made his views on the situation know with the odd glance at the referee and a few power shots over the net with a little added venom in them.

Sonego could not take advantage of the break and promptly lost his before Nadal served out to win the match and book his place in the fourth round.