Nadal power surge fires up Bjorkman
If Rafael Nadal is the future of tennis, don't expect Jonas Bjorkman to shed a tear when he retires at the end of the summer.
Bjorkman, the three-times Wimbledon doubles champion, put his wrists together and formed an inverted triangle with his palms and fingers.
"When I first came up there were not too many players going to the gym," said the Swede. "These days you see them like this. It's much more physical."
Nadal, shoulder muscles bulging out of a sleeveless top, blasted his way to a 6-4, 6-4, 7-6 victory over German qualifier Andreas Beck that included 17 aces.
It was a display that left Beck saying: "It's just not a game what he's playing. I was thinking all the time, what the hell is he doing?"
What the Spaniard is doing is far removed from the stylish touch game that Bjorkman - who lost in four sets to Frenchman Arnaud Clement yesterday - embraced when he turned pro in 1991.
Tomorrow's match between Nadal and Latvian Ernests Gulbis, the world No48, will not be one for the faint-hearted.
No2 seed Nadal said: "I've got to play against a very tough opponent who has a very good serve and an amazing forehand."
