Nadal advances after five-setter against Haase

London: World number one Rafael Nadal was forced to battle for Wimbledon survival before extinguishing Dutch firebrand Robin Haase with a 5-7 6-2 3-6 6-0 6-3 second round victory on Thursday.

The 2008 champion found the resolve to come through a stern examination from the unshaven, tousled 23-year-old Haase who, like Nadal, has struggled with a troublesome knee injury that has stymied his career.

Champion Roger Federer struggled during his first two rounds and it was Nadal's turn to flirt with danger. But his will to win and greater experience on grass finally ended Haase's challenge on Centre Court.

The number two seed will now take on Philipp Petzschner or Poland's Lukasz Kubot in the third round.