Rafa Nadal's quest for a calendar Grand Slam remains on course after the Spaniard overcame Francisco Cerundolo 6-4 6-3 3-6 6-4 in his first-round match at Wimbledon.
And after his victory, Nadal claimed it is good to be back after battling through his first Wimbledon win in three years.
And the draw is now opening up nicely for the two-time champ after former finalists Matteo Berrettini and Marin Cilic both pulled out with Covid.
Nadal, who feared for his career after a foot injury last year, finally saw off Wimbledon debutant Cerundolo in four sets in a match that lasted three hours and 33 minutes.
But while at times it was an exhibition of power hitting against the world number 41 from Argentina, there were also 41 unforced errors.
Four times Nadal had his serve broken. Fourteen times he saved break points against an opponent playing the game of his life.
The 36-year-old, who last won Wimbledon in 2010, said: "All the credit to Fran. A very tough opponent! It's obviously been three years for me not playing here.
"I'm very happy to be back. It's an amazing place. For the last three years for different reasons I didn't put any foot on a grass court. Every day is a test."
Nadal has already won in Melbourne and at Roland Garros this year and if he goes all the way here he will be three quarters of the way to a calendar Grand Slam.
In a match where strong winds hampered both players, Nadal was given a tough test by the Argentine youngster, having to save three break points at 4-4 before taking the first set. Cerundolo competed well at the start of the second, wasting another break point at 2-2, before the No 2 seed took control to move into a two-set lead.
Nadal's build up to Wimbledon has been hampered by his long-standing foot injury, and there was a scare for the 22-time Grand Slam champion early in the third set when he slipped on court. He duly got back to his feet though, but after breaking again was then rocked up a stirring fightback from his opponent.
Cerundolo broke twice to take control, and despite wasting three set points at 5-3, eventually closed out the game. And the contest was in the balance when he broke first in the fourth set.
But at 4-3 down, Nadal showed all of his fighting qualities, winning three games in a row to seal his win in dramatic fashion. The result keeps alive his hopes of a third consecutive Grand Slam crown.
