(file pic : Rafael Nadal)
Speed Post News Network
Patna : Thirteen-time champion & 3rd seed Rafael Nadal, 35 Spain, reached the third round of French Open, an ATP Grand Slam tournament played at outdoor clay courts at Stade Roland Garros, Paris, France, defeating World No 53 Richard Gasquet, 35, France, on June 4, 2021, early morning. World No 3 Nadal beat Gasquet, who had reached French Open QF in 2016, in straight sets 6-0, 7-5, 6-2 in 2nd round. Nadal now leads Gasquet 17-0 Head to Head.
Nadal, the winner of record equalling 20 Grand Slam singles titles, won 7 break points during the match to 1 by Gasquet, who had reached US Open SF in 2013 and Wimbledon SF in 2007 & 2015. Nadal, the winner of 88 career titles, created 16 break point opportunities but could convert only 7 of them. The Spaniard won 7 games in a row during the match to 3 by the Frenchman.
Nadal’s winning percentage both on his first and second serve ( 84% & 52%) was much better than that of Gasquet’s ( 69 & 31%). Nadal, in all, won 99 points in the match to 69 by Gasquet, the winner of 15 career titles. Nadal will face World No 45 Cameron Norrie, 25, UK, in 3rd round on June 5, 2021.