Rafael Nadal powered to a 6-2, 6-2, 6-2 win over Australian Jordan Thompson in the first round at Roland Garros, marking his 299th Grand Slam win.
13-time French Open champion, Rafael Nadal, powered to a 6-2, 6-2, 6-2 victory over Australian Jordan Thompson in the first round of the clay-court major at Roland Garros, marking his 299th Grand Slam win.
The Spanish ace will now hope to join Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic in the 300-plus club when he meets Corentin Moutet in the second round. The Frenchman earlier defeated 2015 champion Stan Wawrinka 2-6, 6-3, 7-6, 6-3.
Grand slam win No. 299 ✅ | pic.twitter.com/ZkWx7Ri9vf
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros)The 21-time Grand Slam champion, who spoke of a chronic foot injury hampering his movement after losing to Denis Shapovalov in Rome last week, looked comfortable in the two-hour, two-minute win on Court Philippe Chatrier.
French, English, Spanish 😃 | pic.twitter.com/JkNqNRazeK
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros)Thompson reached the third round at Roland Garros in 2019 but was unable to counter Nadal's brutal groundstrokes in the pair's second tour-level meeting.
Although he battled well, the Australian was unable to disrupt the Spaniard's flow in the baseline exchanges frequently enough to build any sustained pressure.
The 35-year-old broke Thompson's serve seven times in the clash as Nadal found a good rhythm on his trademark forehands.
Also read: French Open 2022: Reaching my dream, says Alcaraz after first-round win in Paris
This win takes Nadal to a 2-0 ATP Head2Head series lead over the Australian, having beaten him at the Rolex Paris Masters in 2020.
Nadal fans took to Twitter to express their joy over seeing the Spaniard kick off his 14th French Open crown bid with a cruising victory. Here's a look at some of the reactions:
Another record ✅
106 wins (and counting) for at - more than any other ATP player at any other Grand Slam! pic.twitter.com/eoOWXCKQpE
awesome! how fabulous to see Nadal play on that court
— Matt Bell 🇺🇦 (@ProfMattBell)Nadal 106-3 at , passes Federer (Wimbledon) for the player the most wins at a Slam. They were tied at 105
— José Morgado (@josemorgado)1️⃣0️⃣6️⃣ victorias para Rafa Nadal en Roland Garros.
1️⃣0️⃣5️⃣ triunfos para Roger Federer en Wimbledon.
Los hombres que cambiaron el tenis para siempre ❤ pic.twitter.com/Zzj6osJa6K
Rafa Nadal: "Incredible for me to be back here at Roland Garros. Happy to win in straight sets. It is only one match." pic.twitter.com/Pbgz7JPMgX
— Rafael Nadal Fans (@RafaelNadalFC)Rafa Nadal moves to 1️⃣8️⃣-0️⃣ in openers. pic.twitter.com/a99BPOTGKU
— US Open Tennis (@usopen)What a performance from Nadal!
Vamos! 💪🏽 pic.twitter.com/VWQ2rk2y78
106TH VICTORY 💪
Very convincing performance from Rafa, great length on the forehand especially and good serving quality !
Good movements too, VAMOS pic.twitter.com/YceRnaMI2P
Facilitated by the opponent, but encouraging signs nonetheless. Especially the FH. Good depth throughout. Placement will get better with time. BH needs a lot of work if Nadal is to avoid a repeat of last year.
Plus, who doesn't love an OCD pleasing scoreline?! 2,2 & 2. VAMOS!