Nadal chased off by covers in rain-delayed win and remains on for Calendar Slam

RAFA NADAL took a step closer to a third Wimbledon crown after coming through a rain-interrupted second-round clash.

The No2 seed won a 16th major match in a row this year as he progressed 6-4 6-4 4-6 6-3 after more than three hours of play.

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Lithuanian Ricardas Berankis gave the 22-time Grand Slam champion a tougher battle than many had expected and will return home with the consolation of taking a set off the Spanish legend.

Yet both players had to rush off court with Nadal 3-0 up in the fourth set after a quick, violent shower dumped its contents over Centre Court.

The dark clouds over SW19 took the ground-staff by surprise and the umpire’s chair got soaked before the covers came across.

Singer Cliff Richard was in the stands but thankfully he did not have to entertain the crowd with a sing-song like he did many years ago when there was no roof.

But as No1 Court got back under way with Britain’s Jack Draper facing Australian Alex de Minaur, Nadal and Berankis were still waiting backstage – with no explanation for the prolonged lateness.

Incredibly, it took more 50 MINUTES after rain had first started to fall before the two players were back on court.

The decision not to close the roof straightaway meant there was a longer than necessary gap and this was not a benefit to either player.

Indeed organisers made two poor decisions regarding the roof today: closing it for the first match with Katie Boulter versus Karolina Pliskova when it was not raining, and then keeping it open when it was wet in the second encounter.

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At least Nadal wrapped it up without the need for a fifth set and avoided the prospect of a major scare.

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