Rafa Nadal was given a thorough workout by Ernests Gulbis on the way to dispatching the Latvian 5-7 6-2 7-6 6-3 to book his place in the third round of Wimbledon.

The Spaniard predicted that Gulbis would prove a handful and the little-known 19-year-old lived up to expectations by producing a display full of courage and skill.

A booming serve and powerful forehand were his choice shots but there was also plenty of variety to the world number 48's game, marking him out as a star of the future.

Rafa's class and athleticism ultimately enabled him to negotiate a tricky hurdle on Court One and he now meets 27th-seeded German Nicolas Kiefer for a place in the last 16.

"I knew beforehand that it would be a very difficult match. He's a tough player who will be at the top very soon," said Rafa-- who has been runner-up to Roger Federer in the last two finals.

"I served only so-so at the start but it got better as the match went on and I feel that I improved," added the Mallorcan -- who is bidding to become only the third man to win the French Open and Wimbledon in the same season.