Jamaican tennis star Dustin Brown beats world No 1 Rafael Nadal! (Video Highlights)
Former Jamaican tennis player Dustin Brown on Thursday claimed his biggest win to date in the professional career after registering a shock 6-4, 6-1 win over world number one and French Open champion Rafael Nadal at the Gerry Weber Open.
“That was my plan,” said Brown, who made it into the tournament thanks to a wild card. “I did not want to leave him any chance of playing his normal tennis.”
On his own serve, the 29-year-old left no margin for error. As soon as the second serves were flying past his ear at 220 km/h, Nadal knew what he was up against. Even before the match, the Roland Garros winner had predicted as much. “He’s not going to let me find any rhythm,” he had said. That is precisely what happened.
Nadal was able to resist with his own serve to begin with. “I first had to get used to his serve,” explained Brown. And at 5-4 in the German’s favour, he showed he had done that. Two return winners and then a masterful volley earned him three set points.
Nadal showed his champion’s material by defending them, but a powerful return and a forehand mistake from Nadal saw part one end 6-4 in Brown’s favour.
In the second set, Brown was on fire. Every shot hit the spot. Stops and lobs were played at will with the Spanish world star unsure of what had hit him. An ace made it 3-0 and another lob made it 4-0. Another ace to make it 5-0, and although Nadal pulled one game back, Brown showed no fear in going for the jugular. After 59 minutes, the pulse was broken.
Brown, who now represents Germany, will next face compatriot Philipp Kohlschreiber in the quarterfinals.
Roger Federer meanwhile advanced by coming from behind to beat Joao Sousa of Portugal 6-7 (8), 6-4, 6-2 earlier.
It was the seven-time Wimbledon winner’s first match since losing in the fourth round at the French Open to Ernests Gulbis.
He will next play Taiwan’s Yen-Hsun Lu, who defeated Croatia’s Ivo Karlovic 7-6 (2), 7-6 (3).
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