Nadal sails into second round after easy straight-sets victory

Rafael Nadal enjoyed an easy passage into the French Open second round with a straightsets victory over Jordan Thompson at Roland Garros yesterday.

The 13-time champion outplayed his Australian opponent and secured a 6-2, 6-2, 6-2 win on Court Philippe Chatrier as Nadal looks to secure a 22nd Grand Slam.

Nadal – who now has 299 wins at Grand Slams – will next face France’s Corentin Moutet, who beat former champion Stan Wawrinka in four sets.

The 35-year-old Spaniard won his 21st title at the Australian Open in January but has only recently returned from a rib injury.

But fifth seed Nadal showed no sign of any problems against Thompson and his movement and all-around game appeared in fine working order in a twohour, two-minute victory.

“It’s incredible for me to play here again on Chatrier. I’m happy with this win. First round is always special,” said Nadal.

He has also been dealing with chronic pain in his left foot. That kept him out of Wimbledon and the US Open last year and bothered him again during a loss on clay in Rome this month.

Three-time Grand Slam champion Wawrinka lost to local wild-card entry Moutet 2-6, 6-3, 7-6, 6-3. Wawrinka – the 2015 champion at Roland Garros – had played only four tour-level matches this season before the French Open, winning two and losing two. The 37-year-old missed most of last season after having surgery on his left foot.

English pair Cameron Norrie and Dan Evans are through to the next round. Evans, 29th seed, beat Argentina’s Francisco Cerundolo 7-6, 6-4, 6-4, while Norrie, seeded 10th, defeated home hope Manuel Guinard 7-5, 6-2, 6-0.