Nadal Rolls in Roland Garros Opener

May 26, 2015 | By Long Island Tennis Magazine Staff
Nadal_01_0
Photo credit: Adam Wolfthal

Nine-time champion Rafael Nadal got off to a winning start at the French Open on Tuesday, moving past French wild card Quentin Halys 6-3, 6-3, 6-4 to reach the second-round. Nadal picked up five break points on his nine chances, allowing him to dictate play in all three sets.

“When I had the chance to play normal points, I think I changed [rallies with] good directions with my forehand [and] very good forehands down the line,” said Nadal. “After the first three games, when I started a little bit slow, then I start moving the ball better. I am happy with the way that I played. It is the first match and I played well enough.”

Up next for the Nadal is his countryman Nicholas Almagro, who edged Alexandr Dolgopolov 6-3, 2-6, 6-4, 7-6(6) to advance. Almagro actually won fewer points in the match than Dolgopolov, but was much more efficient than his opponent, committing less unforced errors to push past.

American John Isner looked good in his Roland Garros opener, defeating Italian Andreas Seppi 7-5, 6-2, 6-3.

Isner was actually broken twice, something he has not been used to in recent weeks, but the American answered with six break points of his own, two of which came in the third set and allowed him to take the match in straight sets.

The top-ranked American will face off with France’s Jeremy Chardy, who came back from a set down to beat Michael Berrer 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-4.

Seventh-seed David Ferrer nailed down his 300th career win on clay, beating Slovakia’s Lukas Lacko 6-1, 6-3, 6-1 to reach the second-round. Ferrer’s groundstrokes were on point all match long and helped him convert break points on seven of nine chances.

“I began the season playing really well, winning a lot of matches, and I am only focusing in the moment,” said Ferrer. “I don’t know when I finish my career. The most important thing is my fitness. I don’t have important injuries. I am looking forward.”

The 33-year old Ferrer has reached the second-round at Roland Garros each time he has played here in his career.

Up next for the Spaniard is his compatriot Daniel Gimeno-Traver, who ousted Brazil’s Joao Souza 7-6(5), 6-4, 6-4.

Below are the rest of the results from early action on the men’s side in Paris on Tuesday:

►[9] Marin Cilic (CRO) defeated Robin Haase (NED) 6-2, 6-4, 6-2
►[15] Kevin Anderson (RSA) defeated Tim Smyczek (USA) 6-4, 6-4, 6-2
►[20] Richard Gasquet (FRA) defeated Germain Gigounon (BEL) 6-3, 6-4, 6-0
►[23] Leonardo Mayer (ARG) defeated Jiri Vesely (CZE) 3-6, 7-6(6), 6-3, 5-7, 6-2
►Joao Sousa (POR) defeated Vasek Pospisil (CAN) 6-3, 7-6(5), 6-1
►Jerzy Janowicz (POL) defeated Maxime Hamou (FRA) 6-7(4), 6-3, 6-4, 6-4
►Yen-Hsun Lu (TPE) defeated Blaz Kavcic (SLO) 6-7(4), 6-1, 6-1, 7-5


Long Island Tennis Magazine Staff
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