May 25, 2009

Top-seed Rafa Nadal looked his usual self in the first round of the French Open, beating Marcos Daniel of Brazil 7-5 6-4 6-3 for his 29th straight win on the Roland Garros red clay, equalling the record set by Chris Evert between 1974 and 1981.

Rafa, who is the four-time defending champion here, needed two hours and 22 minutes to make it to the second round of the French Grand Slam tournament, where he will play Teimuraz Gabashvili on Wednesday.

"The first match is always difficult. I was a little nervous because this tournament is very special to me, but I feel good," Rafa said before walking off centre court.

“I didn't play well with my legs,” he said at the press conference. “In sports, in a tenth of a second you have to catch the ball and everything can change in a game. You need to be present there, on time. If you play well, you have the feeling you'll be on top of the next ball, but today I was a bit short in my shots. I was not precise. It wasn't neat and clear during this match, so this is what I need to improve,” then he continued, "But it's been like that for the last four years (in the first round). And I have won in three sets, that's a positive...I hope to continue improving in the next match."

Daniel on the other hand sounded a bit more frustrated about the match, and wasn’t too happy about playing on Philippe Chatrier because “Rafa is incredibly fit," when you think he’s done with a point, “Nadal goes on, and on, and on.”

“I really like big courts, but only when I play against mere mortals,” joked the Brazilian. “It’s just that Rafa shoots balls that nobody can hit back.”

“The man who wants to win against him has to have a great backhand and try to open him up a bit, but who could do it?... On hard courts there are many players who could, but here?...”

THE MATCH

Daniel's most powerful weapon is his service and he used this to keep the match competitive but in the end Rafa’s experience and booming groundstrokes were enough to make the next round.

Daniel was matching his illustrious opponent with some fierce winners and deft touches at the start of the match, but he was finally broken in the ninth game.

The Brazilian continued to show his qualities as he took a 3-1 lead in the second set. But going a break down seemed to have fired Rafa into life as he won four games in a row and then took a two set lead.

The third set was far easier for Rafa, and although he was broken for a third time in the match, he had no problems closing out the match 6-3.

Vamos Rafa!