Nadal storms into 2nd round of French Open, Herbert stuns Medvedev

Speed Post News Network

Patna : Eleven time champion Rafael Nadal, Spain, stormed into the second round of French Open, a 2,000 point Grand Slam tournament, crushing World No 180 and qualifier Yannick Hanfmann, 27, Germany, 6-2, 6-1, 6-3 at Roland Garros, Paris, France, on May 27, 2019, evening.

But, World No 43 Pierre-Hugues Herbert, 28, France, stunned World No 14 Daniil Medvedev, 23, Russia, in a five-set thriller in the first round coming from behind. World No 16 Nikoloz Basilashvili, Georgia, also crashed out of the tournament losing to World No 78 Juan Ignacio Laundero, 25, Argentina.

World No 2 Nadal broke Hanfmann’s service 6 times in the match besides winning 5 games in a row. Nadal’s winning percentage both on his first and second serve (78% & 80%) was much higher than that of Hanfmann (55% & 45 %). Nadal, the 2nd seed, fired 5 Aces in the match to 2 by Hanfmann, a hearing impaired since birth known for his powerful serve up to 143 mph. Nadal won 52 service points to 42 by Hanfmann.

Herbert beat 12th seed Medvedev 4-6, 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, 7-5 making a strong comeback after losing the first two sets. Herbert broke Medvedev’s service 7 times in the match while the latter broke his service 5 times. Herbert won 6 games in a row to 5 by Medvedev. Herbert served 2 Aces in the match to 3 by Medvedev, who had reached the final of ATP Monte-Carlo Masters in April 2019. Medvedev committed 9 double faults in the match to 4 by Herbert, who had reached 3rd round of this clay court tournament in 2018.

World No 39 Richard Gasquet, France, beat World 102 Mischa Zverev, 31, Germany, elder brother of World No 5 Alexander Zverev, 6-3, 6-4, 6-3 to enter the 2nd round. Gasquet fired 7 Aces in the match to 3 by Mischa Zverev. Gasquet broke Mischa’s service 5 time in the match while the latter broke his service only once. He also won 5 games in a row to 2 by Mischa.Gasquet had reached the QFs of French Open in 2016 besides reaching Wimbledon SFs in 2007 and 2015. Gasquet had also reached SFs of US Open in 2013.

World No 37 Cristian Garin, 22, Chile, beat World No 59 Reilly Opelka, 21, USA, 7-6, 7-5, 7-6 to enter the 2nd round. Opelka, however, hammered 18 Aces in the match to 6 by Garin. But, he also committed 5 double faults to 2 by Garin. Garin won a break point besides winning 3 games in a row in the match.

World No 76 Roberto Carballes Baena, 26, Spain, entered the 2nd round beating World No 302 Alexandre Muller, 22, France, 6-4, 6-4, 6-2. Baena broke Muller’s service 7 times in the match while the latter broke his service thrice.

Laundero beat 15th seed Basilashvili in straight sets 6-4, 6-1, 6-3. Laundero fired 8 Aces in the match to 2 by Basilashvili. Laundero broke Basilashvili’s service 6 times in the match while the latter broke his service only once. Laundero won 5 games in a row in the match to 2 by Basilashvili.