Wimbledon draw opens up for Nadal as Swiatek bids to extend run

Rafael Nadal tops the bill in the Wimbledon second round on Thursday, eyeing a clear path to the semi-finals as Iga Swiatek seeks a 37th consecutive win.

Two-time winner Nadal, hunting a calendar Grand Slam, was given a fright in his opener before finding his mojo against Francisco Cerundolo to win in four sets.

The Spaniard has benefited from the withdrawal of last year's finalist Matteo Berrettini with coronavirus and a shock first-round exit for Canada's sixth seed Felix Auger-Aliassime.

The major threat to Nadal's hopes for a third Wimbledon crown on his side of the draw is Greek fourth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas, who faces Australia's Jordan Thompson.

Second seed Nadal, who takes on Lithuanian journeyman Ricardas Berankis, is halfway to a calendar Slam after winning the Australian Open and French Open this year.

The feat has not been achieved in men's tennis since Rod Laver did it in 1969, with Novak Djokovic falling at the final hurdle last year when he lost in the US Open final.

Nadal, a 22-time Grand Slam champion, struggled with crippling foot pain throughout the French Open but has received treatment aimed at reducing the pain and was moving freely on Tuesday.

"I need to keep improving things," said the 36-year-old after his tough test against Argentina's Cerundolo.

"But at the end of the match I improved. At the most critical moment, I think I raised my level. That's a very positive thing."

Tsitsipas is full of confidence after winning on grass in Mallorca on Saturday to secure the ninth singles title of his career but has never gone beyond the fourth round at the All England Club.

"Having tournament wins on surfaces elevates you, puts you in a better mood, as well," he said.

"It is very good for your self-esteem, and