French Open: Nadal starts with a tiresome triumvirate success

Superstar Rafael Nadal has reached the second round of the French Open in detention and with unexpected effort. The Spanish world number one, who is aiming for his eleventh triumph in Paris this year, won his opening match against Italian Simone Bolelli 6-4, 6-3, 7-6 (11-9), which was interrupted on Monday evening at a score of 0-3 in the third round.

However, Nadal was much more challenged than expected against the world’s number 129, who slipped into the main field as Lucky Loser. In the second and third sets, the 16-times Grand Slam winner had each covered with a break. Even after the resumption on Tuesday, Nadal, who had won the title last year without losing a set, had to endure several tricky moments.

Among other things, Nadal fended off four set points in the tie-break of the third set, having already had four break points against him at the score of 3:4. In the end, however, Roland Garros’ record winner showed his nerves of steel. The match on Monday and Tuesday lasted 2:57 hours.

Before Nadal on Tuesday on the court Philippe Chatrier the number three seeded Marin Cilic had taken his opening hurdle without problems. The Australian Open finalist from Croatia defeated Australian James Duckworth 6-3, 7-5, 7-6 (7-4).