Focus matters to Nadal (From Crewe Guardian)

Focus matters to Nadal

9:54am Wednesday 27th June 2012 in National Sport © Press Association 2013

Rafael Nadal was faced with a common line of questioning after his first-round win over Thomaz Bellucci at Wimbledon - his long-standing rivalry with Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer.

The second seed got past the big-hitting Bellucci in three sets on Centre Court and joined his old foes in the second round.

When asked why the trio are so dominant in the men's game, Nadal said: "It is a difficult one for me to answer. Somebody asked me this question a few weeks ago at Roland Garros. My answer was, what has happened over the last couple of years is because we are very focused, playing great. That's why."

It is often the case for the 26-year-old Spaniard that his post-match press conference features a number of questions about Djokovic and Federer, the two men with whom he is constantly battling for supremacy at the top of the rankings.

That pair return to action on Wednesday, with Federer opening up Centre Court against Fabio Fognini and Djokovic following him against Ryan Harrison.

It would be wrong not to mention Andy Murray's name alongside that trio too, with the Brit, comfortably fourth in the world, also through after an impressive win over Nikolay Davydenko that saw him drop just six games.