Wimbledon 2022 LIVE: Rafael Nadal vs Francisco Cerundolo latest score, updates from Centre Court

Nadal vs Cerundolo - LIVE!

Almost three years since he last took to Centre Court, Rafael Nadal returned to get his Wimbledon campaign off to a successful start.

It was a semi-final defeat to Roger Federer that day and although a 6-4 6-3 3-6 6-4 win over Francisco Cerundolo began as a somewhat more low-key affair, the Spaniard was dragged into a titanic tussle.

Two exhibition matches at the Hurlingham Club were the extent of Nadal’s Wimbledon preparations, with nerve-numbing treatment on a chronic foot injury the focus instead following a 14th French Open success.

It’s a problem that has plagued the second seed for much of 2022, and long before that too, yet Nadal arrived at the All England Club on course for a Calendar Slam, after going all the way in Melbourne and Paris. The third leg of that bid is up and running, though it was far from straight-forward for the Spaniard.

Nadal vs Cerundolo latest news

• Start time

• How to watch

• Prediction

Cerundolo 4-6 3-6 6-3 4-6 Nadal

19:00 , Matt Verri

Second-serve return slapped back by Nadal, takes control of the rally and Cerundolo can’t get back in it. 30-30. Nadal two points away.

Match point Nadal! Footwork deserts Cerundolo, he ends up falling towards the ball and shovels it into the net.

GAME, SET, MATCH! Wow that was hard-fought. Nadal into the second round!

Cerundolo 4-6 3-6 6-3 *4-5 Nadal

18:54 , Matt Verri

Momentum well and truly with Nadal, who races to a hold to love.

Having very nearly been a double break down in the fourth set, he’s now just one game away from victory.

Cerundolo 4-6 3-6 6-3 4-4* Nadal

18:52 , Matt Verri

Well, well, well. Nadal 0-30 on the Cerundolo serve, sitll very much alive in this set.

Make that 0-40! Cerundolo dumps the forehand into the net and Nadal has three break points to get it back on serve.

Breaks to love! Cerundolo throws everything at the forehand, just long and Nadal just glares at his box. Huge game from the Spaniard.

Cerundolo 4-6 3-6 6-3 *4-3 Nadal

18:48 , Matt Verri

One Nadal forehand is perfect, another goes long. 15-15.

That shot works for the Spaniard again, before he seals a relatively routine hold with a drop shot. Massive roar from Nadal to his box.

Cerundolo 4-6 3-6 6-3 4-2* Nadal

18:44 , Matt Verri

Will Nadal make Cerundolo immediately regret those missed chances?

No he won’t. Hold to love in barely more than a minute and all the pressure is straight back on the Spaniard’s serve.

Cerundolo 4-6 3-6 6-3 *3-2 Nadal

18:41 , Matt Verri

Brilliant forehand down the line from Cerundolo, who is absolutely bossing things at the moment. 0-30 and he’s sensing a double break.

And now he has two break points! 15-40, Nadal right up against it.

The Spaniard saves one, as the Cerundolo lob floats long. And the second, Cerundolo dumps the return into the net. Deuce. Another break point comes and goes, return wide this time as Nadal flies forward off the serve.

Standard from Cerundolo is incredible, chalks flies up as a backhand lands flush on the line. Break point once again. Nets it! How many chances is Cerundolo going to waste?

He’ll get no more this game. Another unforced error gives Nadal the hold.

Cerundolo 4-6 3-6 6-3 3-1* Nadal

18:32 , Matt Verri

Nadal has come alive again, up to the net and puts away the volley. 0-30 and he’s pushing for an immediate break back.

That doesn’t help, shovels a forehand long. Furious with himself. Cerundolo then nets the backhand, two break points for Nadal!

First one saved by the Argentine. As is the second! Brilliant forehand and then a deft drop volley at the net.

Nadal thought he was getting another chance, as a Cerundolo lob is called long. Challenged and it just caught the line. It’s heavy-handed at the net from Nadal and that’s a huge hold.

Cerundolo 4-6 3-6 6-3 *2-1 Nadal

18:26 , Matt Verri

Break point number five in the game for Cerundolo, as Nadal’s drop shot doesn’t come off.

TAKEN! Stunning forehand and after an incredible game, Cerundolo has the break. Shaping up to be a Centre Court thriller.

18:24 , Matt Verri

Cerundolo should put away the smash at the net, Nadal makes him hit another shot though... which is a good one to be fair to the Argentine. Flicked the volley over his head as he ran back.

Nadal has to do more with that overhead. Gives Cerundolo a chance, which he gratefully takes. Nadal sends the forehand long and it’s 0-40. Three break points.

Sensational return, right at Nadal’s feet and he can do absolutely nothing with it. Hang on though... challenged. And it’s out. Nadal survives. One down, two to go.

Return flies long from Cerundolo. 30-40. And again - deuce. Massive moments in this match. Ceurndolo unforced error followed by a really confident overhead. Deuce once more. And for a fourth time! Pass was there for Nadal after a poor drop shot from the Argentine, whipped wide though.

Fourth break point for Cerundolo coming up. First serve gets Nadal out of trouble. What a game this has been. Back to deuce.

Cerundolo 4-6 3-6 6-3 1-1* Nadal

18:12 , Matt Verri

Argentine rushing through this service game. Big winner followed by a first serve that doesn’t come back.

Cerundolo with a nice volley at the net, unfortunately somewhat irrelevant as his serve had been already been called out. Forehand sails long and what had looked like being a hold to love is now 40-30.

Any further drama avoided as Cerundolo levels up the fourth.

Cerundolo 4-6 3-6 6-3 *0-1 Nadal

18:08 , Matt Verri

Start of the fourth set - not really where Nadal wanted to be. Cerundolo has made it tough for him all match though.

Fist pump follows an ace out wide which gets the Spaniard up and running.

Cerundolo 4-6 3-6 6-3 Nadal

18:01 , Matt Verri

Who saw this coming?

Nadal’s lob lands long, 30-0. Cerundolo two points away from taking the set. That’s long too - Cerundolo has two set points! Spaniard responds, works the angle well and Cerundolo’s slice flies out. 40-30. One more chance for the Argentine.

Out again! Forehand from Cerundolo nearly perfect but not quite. Challenge doesn’t save him either. Deuce.

Now Nadal has a break point - brings Cerundolo forward with the drop shot and the Argentine slices into the net. Can’t take it, Cerundolo takes it back to deuce.

Nadal is on the march though and has a second break point. Deuce again, Cerundolo puts away the forehand.

Third set point from Cerundolo, unforced error from Nadal. He takes this one! We’re going to a fourth set... at least.

Cerundolo 4-6 3-6 *5-3 Nadal

17:52 , Matt Verri

Nadal nets a fairly routine forehand, this is an opening for Cerundolo at 15-30. Break here and he’ll be serving for the set.

And now the Spaniard sends the volley long! Two break points for Cerundolo.

Forehand winner gets Nadal halfway to safety, but there’s the break! Cerundolo is not done yet. He’ll serve to take us to a fourth set.

Cerundolo 4-6 3-6 4-3* Nadal

17:47 , Matt Verri

Couple of quick points put Cerundolo in control of the game but he then runs around the ball only to slice it halfway up the net.

A 20th winner of the match gets things back on track, followed by Nadal sending a forehand well beyond the baseline.

Cerundolo 4-6 3-6 *3-3 Nadal

17:44 , Matt Verri

Cerundolo mishits a shot so badly it almost ends up behind him, before finding the frame once again and seeing the ball fly out. Centre of the racket so far untouched this game.

First serve from Nadal doesn’t come back and the Spaniard levels up the set when Cerundolo hits a backhand 90 degrees into the stands. Blame the racket...

Cerundolo 4-6 3-6 3-2* Nadal

17:38 , Matt Verri

Nadal in frustrated mood after that halt to his momentum. A slice straight into the net doesn’t help either, just as he was looking to put some pressure on the Cerundolo serve.

The Argentine isn’t best pleased with himself either, as a double fault takes it to deuce.

No harm done though, forehand winner gets the job done and Cerundolo leads in the third set again.

Cerundolo 4-6 3-6 *2-2 Nadal

17:33 , Matt Verri

Cerundolo to the net and it’s a comfortable volley for the Argentine, 0-30.

And he now has three break points! Sets it up with a backhand that flicks the line, Nadal goes for the lob but it sails long.

Cerundolo has broken to love! Stunning shot to do it too, backhand return is absolutely perfect. Nadal barely moved.

Cerundolo 4-6 3-6 1-2* Nadal

17:28 , Matt Verri

Every Cerundolo service game is starting to become a battle. Again he finds himself at 30-30 and trying to hang on in this match.

The Argentine throws everything at a forehand down the line, lands wide. Break point Nadal.

A carbon copy of that point follows, wide again from Cerundolo and Nadal is a break up on his third. Well on his way, to say the least.

Cerundolo 4-6 3-6 *1-1 Nadal

17:24 , Matt Verri

Cerundolo’s slice loops towards the baseline and lands about an inch long. Close to perfection. Not much perfect about the forehand into the net that followed.

First serve from Nadal then quickly sees him to a routine hold.

Cerundolo 4-6 3-6 1-0* Nadal

17:19 , Matt Verri

Nasty slip from Nadal as he moves forward and watches a Cerundolo forehand fly past him. Foot completely gave way. He’s playing with his shoe but thankfully doesn’t look to have hurt himself.

Cerundolo thinks he’s held with an ace, but it’s a slightly late call. Out, which it clearly is after a challenge. Nadal in charge of the rally that follows, deuce.

Off-balance backhand from Cerundolo, long way wide. Break point Nadal at the start of the third. Argentine saves it with a lovely forehand down the line.

Return from Nadal is into the net and eventually Cerundolo holds to kick off the set.

After this one on Centre...

17:10 , Matt Verri

Cerundolo 4-6 3-6 Nadal

17:08 , Matt Verri

Nadal serving for a two-set lead and it’s an ideal start as Cerundolo gifts him two free points.

Serve and volley from the Spaniard, looked like it bounced twice before Cerundolo then lifted it back over. Nadal put away the volley anyway with a smile. Three set points.

One will do! Cerundolo sends the backhand long and Nadal is two sets up on Centre Court!

Cerundolo 4-6 3-5* Nadal

17:05 , Matt Verri

Can Cerundolo at least make Nadal serve the set out?

Spaniard has a chance to move 0-30 up, but his whipped forehand down the line finds the net. It’s 15-30 now though, as Cerundolo gets the drop shot all wrong and Nadal has time to stroll forward and put it away.

Set point Nadal! Cerundolo at the net, Nadal with the pass and the Spaniard is on the verge of a two-set lead. Can’t do it yet though, slices flies long. Nadal will get another chance - does really well to reach the lob and Cerundolo can’t make the forehand on the run. Slice long again! Deuce.

Big forehand from Cerundolo followed by another Nadal unforced error and it’s a hard-fought hold.

Cerundolo 4-6 *2-5 Nadal

16:57 , Matt Verri

Double fault from Nadal, not the most confident of starts as he looks to consolidate the break.

He again turns to the serve and volley, which Cerundolo does superbly to reach and somehow flicks a pass crosscourt. Nadal scrambles but can’t get it back in play.

And again! Cerundolo drops the ball at Nadal’s feet as the Spaniard comes to the net. Deuce.

Went too big with the forehand there though and Nadal seals the hold with a trademark forehand.

Cerundolo 4-6 2-4* Nadal

16:51 , Matt Verri

Ninth forehand winner of the match from Cerundolo, before he then forces Nadal wide and the Spaniard can’t pull off the backhand pass. Nadal certainly not having this his own way.

Mammoth rally, Cerundolo pushed further and further behind the baseline. Pressure tells. Deuce.

Sensational backhand winner crosscourt from the Argentine, who works the point brilliantly once more but then sends the forehand wide with Nadal out of position. Break point Nadal!

And he converts it! Once again it’s ruthless from the Spaniard who is a set and a break up on Centre.

Cerundolo 4-6 *2-3 Nadal

16:41 , Matt Verri

Fist pumps from the Cerundolo box as he gets to 15-30 on the Nadal serve. They sense an opportunity. It’s Nadal who pumps himself up when the Argentine then sends a tame return into the net.

Return this time loops over the net and Nadal briefly has to scramble, but it’s a simple put away once he catches up with it. 40-30. Massive forehand from Cerundolo, threw himself at that and he takes it to deuce.

Break point for Cerundolo - which he can’t take! Big chance goes and he’s furious with himself.

Nadal not in the move to give him another chance. Absolutely stunning volley lands on the line, before Cerundolo sends a backhand into the net.

Cerundolo 4-6 2-2* Nadal

16:35 , Matt Verri

Cerundolo does all the hard work and then puts the overhead halfway up the net! Great rally, big forehand had put the Argentine in control but he can’t provide the finishing touch. 15-30.

Nadal returns the favour with a couple of errors of his own, gifting Cerundolo a hold as he slaps a forehand wide.

Cerundolo 4-6 *1-2 Nadal

16:29 , Matt Verri

Return is too short from Cerundolo, Nadal can stroll forward and put the forehand away.

First serve out wide, Cerundolo’s return is long this time. Something in the middle of those two would be ideal...

He’ll have to wait to get another chance, forehand from Nadal kisses the line. Another hold to love.

Cerundolo 4-6 1-1* Nadal

16:27 , Matt Verri

Apparently Cerundolo isn’t feeling any pressure at all.

Ace gets it to 40-0 and when a first-serve return from Nadal finds the net, it’s a comfortable hold. Rushing through the games!

Cerundolo 4-6 *0-1 Nadal

16:24 , Matt Verri

These are very dangerous times for Cerundolo - Nadal going through the gears.

He has a hold to love in next to no time and you feel the tide is well and truly with Nadal now.

Cerundolo 4-6 Nadal

16:21 , Matt Verri

So then, Cerundolo serving to stay in the first set. Starts with his third drop-shot winner of the match.

Nadal is keeping the pressure well and truly on though at 30-30... just a couple of points away from moving a set up.

Make that one point away - set point! Volley from Nadal wasn’t great, but the lob from Cerundolo was even worse. First serve at just the right time from the Argentine, deuce.

Set point number two coming up though, as Cerundolo nets the backhand. Nadal takes the first set!

Stepped forward, took control of the rally and a flat backhand gets the job done. Ruthless from the Spaniard.

Cerundolo *4-5 Nadal

16:13 , Matt Verri

Nadal steps on a forehand, it’s deep... too deep? Called out but a challenge from the Spaniard shows it’s in. Point will be replayed.

No need for Hawk-Eye with that one. Nadal off-balance and tries to fire a backhand down the line, flies long. 15-30.

And another unforced error from Nadal. Two breaks points for Cerundolo who will be serving for the set if he converts one of these. Serve out wide just when he needed it from Nadal, survives the first scare. Saves the second too. Big fist pump.

Another chance coming for Cerundolo though - again saved by a first serve! Already the game has lasted nine minutes.

He had to battle really hard but Nadal comes through the test in that game.

Cerundolo 4-4* Nadal

16:03 , Matt Verri

Apart from the game in which he was broken, it’s been impressive from Cerundolo on serve.

Nadal with a couple of slices into the net and it’s a comfortable hold for Cerundolo, levels it up once again in the set.

One mistake from either player now and the set could be done.

Cerundolo *3-4 Nadal

15:57 , Matt Verri

Another Nadal forehand flies long, already been a number of unforced errors from that usually reliable weapon.

That’s absolutely brilliant though, flicks a backhand pass crosscourt and on the stretch Cerundolo can do nothing with it. Response isn’t half-bad... forehand battered down the line from Cerundolo. So clean.

Nadal ensures there will be no nervy moments in this service game with a first-serve that doesn’t come back.

Cerundolo 3-3* Nadal

15:52 , Matt Verri

Cerundolo worn down by the Nadal forehead, pressure tells and he finds the net. 0-30 and a third break in a row is very much on the cards.

Nadal in control of the angle, nice angle with the forehand but the slice from Cerundolo stays low and the Spaniard can’t get underneath it.

Nadal can’t find the pass and he then can’t get to a beautiful drop shot - three impressive points in a row for Cerundolo. Nadal takes it to deuce though.

Not enough topspin on that forehand from the Spaniard, drops just beyond the baseline. Tame backhand into the net and that’s a battling hold for Cerundolo.

Happy to have him back!

15:47 , Matt Verri

Cerundolo *2-3 Nadal

15:46 , Matt Verri

Cerundolo runs around the forehand and then perfectly finds the line. 0-30 - chance for an immediate response here.

It’s a massive chance now, three break points for Cerundolo!

Nadal goes for the serve and volley... and volley. Needed a third shot from the Spaniard but he’s saved one break point.

Cerundolo takes the second though! Needed a challenge to do so, but the overhead has caught the line and we’re back on serve in the first set.

Cerundolo 1-3* Nadal

15:41 , Matt Verri

Very nearly an outrageous slice winner from Cerundolo, just lands wide of the line though. Nadal starting to have a bit more success in the rallies, forehand is warming up.

Spaniard can’t get the serve out wide back in play - does so next point and Cerundolo almost has too much time to think about it. Not much depth on the slice, there to put away but it’s long by a fair distance. Break point Nadal.

Which he takes! Another unforced error from Cerundolo and it’s proved costly.

Cerundolo *1-2 Nadal

15:37 , Matt Verri

This has been a really confident start from Cerundolo, who provides some lovely touch to go with the power. Drop shot well disguised and Nadal barely moves as it drops over the net.

Chance for Cerundolo at 15-30, but he gets the return all wrong and it flies wide. He then tries to flatten it out with a backhand down the line, nets it. 40-30.

Good forehand from Nadal, response from Cerundolo drops long and the Spaniard is on his way to his seat.

Cerundolo 1-1* Nadal

15:32 , Matt Verri

Couple of cheap free points on serve for Cerundolo, who then thunders a serve down to move 40-0 up.

Another big first serve, Nadal’s return is long and that’s the easiest of holds. Not a rally to speak of.

Cerundolo *0-1 Nadal

15:29 , Matt Verri

Long rally to start the match, before Ceundolo sends a wild backhand sailing out. Nadal them dumps a forehand in the net - neither player finding their range yet.

Serve and volley from Nadal, stoops down at the net nicely and that’s an opening hold to get the Spaniard up and running.

15:25 , Matt Verri

Warm-ups done, Nadal’s scenic route to put his towel down has been taken.

He will serve first to get us underway.

Players are out!

15:17 , Matt Verri

Here we go, Nadal and Cerundolo are out onto Centre Court.

Sun beaming down at Wimbledon - shouldn’t be any need for the roof this afternoon!

Been a while for Nadal on grass...

15:06 , Matt Verri

It’s 12 years now since Nadal last lifted the Wimbledon trophy.

A final defeat to Djokovic followed a year later in 2011 but since then, Nadal has made it to the last four at SW19 just twice.

After putting any doubts over his injury problems to one side to win both the Australian Open and the French Open, he’s unlikely to be wasting time focusing on that record!

It’s Rafa time!

14:57 , Matt Verri

Swiatek safely through to the second round and attention now turns to Rafael Nadal vs Francisco Cerundolo on Centre Court.

Quick break between matches and then the pair will be out!

14:44 , Matt Verri

Nadal potentially just two games away from being out on Centre Court...

Swiatek is 6-0 4-3* up over Fett, so that match could prove to be over relatively quickly.

Get those warm-ups going!

Nadal surprise by success amid injury woes

14:32 , Matt Verri

Rafael Nadal admitted his success so far this year has been a surprise considering the injury problems he has had to contend with.

The Spaniard missed the final few months of the 2021 season with a foot injury and arrived in Australia at the start of the year with real question marks over his fitness.

Those were swiftly put to bed as Nadal went on a 20-match winning run, going all the way in the Australian Open before lifting the title in Mexico without dropping a set.

Nadal’s momentum was halted by a rib injury that kept him out ahead of the clay-court season but he was victorious at Roland Garros for the 14th time to take his Grand Slam tally to 22, two clear of Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal.

“[It has] been an amazing, positive six months in terms of tennis results,” Nadal said. “Yeah, I enjoy it because it’s been unexpected.”

Read the full story here!

Prediction

14:22 , Matt Verri

While Nadal’s injury issues are certainly worth taking into consideration, the fact of the matter is that Nadal has won more ATP matches this year than his opponent has managed in his career.

Nadal is returning to Wimbledon for the first time since 2019, but he should have far too much for his opponent.

Nadal to win in straight sets.

How to watch Nadal vs Cerundolo

14:13 , Matt Verri

TV channel: On Tuesday, the BBC’s Wimbledon coverage began on the Red Button from 11am BST, with the BBC One programme commencing at 1.45pm BST.

Live stream: TV licence fee-payers can stream the tennis action over the next two weeks via the BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website and app.

LIVE blog: Keep across all of the coverage with Standard Sport’s dedicated match blog.

Welcome to Nadal vs Cerundolo LIVE coverage!

14:03 , George Flood

Good afternoon and welcome to Standard Sport’s latest LIVE coverage from Wimbledon!

Rafael Nadal is back on Centre Court for the first time since 2019 this afternoon as he battles Argentine Francisco Cerundolo in his first-round match.

The Spaniard is hoping to further extend a record haul of 22 Grand Slam singles titles upon his return to SW19 and move one step closer to completing an incredible calendar Grand Slam after victories at the Australian and French Opens already in 2022.

Follow the build-up and live match action with Matt Verri at Wimbledon! Nadal vs Cerundolo is second on Centre, so will follow after the conclusion of Iga Swiatek’s meeting with Jana Fett.