106: 3 wins – Rafael Nadal’s record at the French Open is a feast for the eyes. Despite his chronic foot problems, the “Clay Court King of Paris” started the French Open 2022 flawlessly. The Mallorcan, who won the most important clay court event in the world no fewer than 13 times, beat Australian Jordan Thompson 6: 2, 6: 2, 6 after 2:04 hours on the Philippe Chatrier court :2 through. “Bonjour á tous,” the 35-year-old shouted in French to the almost 15,000 spectators in the stadium. There was a lot of applause for that.
“I have celebrated so many successes here. It’s nice to be back,” said Nadal, who has only lost three matches at Roland Garros. In 2009, Spain’s fifth in the world rankings, Robin Söderling (Swe), lost in the round of 16, in 2015 Novak Djokovic became a stumbling block in the quarterfinals, the same in 2021 in the semifinals.
Otherwise, Rafa is untouchable. It remains to be seen whether this trend will continue this year. “I always try to do my best. But it’s difficult for me, I haven’t played for a long time. It was just one match, but it’s okay,” said the 21-time major winner, who had to rest six weeks after Indian Wells due to a stress fracture in the rib area.
Today he didn’t show any weaknesses despite having traveled to Roland Garros without a clay-court title this season. In Madrid, Nadal failed in the Madrid quarter-finals against compatriot Carlos Alcaraz, in Rome it was the end of the round against Denis Shapovalov (Can). In Paris vs Thompson there was never any doubt of victory, Nadal marching from start to finish.
The defending champion is out
That is not to be taken for granted on a day that was characterized not only by relatively low temperatures (16 degrees) but also by periods of rain. The women’s competition is not the first time a “lucky bag”. With Barbora Krejcikova, not only the number two in the world was hit, but also the defending champion, who will drop out of the top ten. The Czech had to face the only 19-year-old world number 97. Diane Parry (Fra), carried by the crowds to victory, was beaten 6-1, 2-6, 3-6. Four-time Grand Slam winner Naomi Osaka is also out. The Japanese lost to Amanda Anisimova (USA) 5-7, 4-6.
Source: Nachrichten
