Serena wins French Open opener; Nadal, too

PARIS (AP) — No matter how much success they’ve had over the years, and to this day, Serena Williams and Rafael Nadal both profess to deal with doubts.

Both began this French Open with straight-set victories against overmatched foes in Court Philippe Chatrier on Monday.

And both have something significant at stake over the coming two weeks: a chance to equal a record for Grand Slam singles titles. Williams already has 23, the most by anyone in the professional era; one more will allow her to tie Margaret Court’s all-era mark.

Nadal began his attempt to pull even with rival Roger Federer for the most by a man, 20, by beating Egor Gerasimov of Belarus 6-4, 6-4, 6-2.

His 2020 debut at a place he’s won 12 trophies did not change Nadal’s view of things at this pandemic-postponed event: It’s colder than usual, the balls are heavier than usual, he’s had less preparation than usual.

“The conditions are completely different,” he said, “than any other Roland Garros that we played.”

Still, Gerasimov would have been forgiven for choosing the same metaphor to describe Nadal that Williams’ opponent came up with: “a runaway train.”

After she played OK in the opening set, then was terrific in the second, of a 7-6 (2), 6-0 win over 102nd-ranked American Kristie Ahn, Williams — so used to being questioned about Court — was asked on this day about Nadal and Federer.

“I don’t get involved in the ‘greatest’ talk. You know, the greatest for me is, and will always be, Jesus, so I’m going to leave it at that,” Williams said.