Nine-time Roland Garros champion Rafael Nadal eased past Facundo Bagnis from Argentina 6-3 6-0 6-3 to clinch his milestone 200th Grand Slam match win.
Bagnis, who played in his sixth Grand Slam match, earned three break points and converted his third opportunity when Nadal hit his backhand into the net.
Nadal fought back by winning five consecutive games to take a 5-2 lead. The Spanish star broke back in the fourth game after a couple of loose shots from Bagnis, including a smash error. Nadal earned a break point at 30-40 in the sixth game as Bagnis hit a forehand into the net. Nadal got another break for 4-2, as Bagnis hit his backhand into the net.
Nadal won 12 of the next 13 games to take a 2-0 lead with a bagel in the second one-sided set. Nadal broke in the first game with an inside-out forehand winner. He got the double break in the third game with a volley. Bagnis fended off a break point for the first time in the match, but dropped his serve on the second break point.
Nadal went up a double break in the first and fifth games to open up a 4-1 lead in the third set. Nadal missed his match point at 5-2 when Bagnis got one of the two breaks back on his fourth break point chance. Nadal got a 15-40 lead on Bagnis’ serve and broke serve on his second match point to close out the match.
Nadal is one of only eight players in the history of men’s tennis to reach the milestone 200th Grand Slam win.
Nadal will face a tougher third round match against his compatriot Marcel Granollers.
Tomas Berdych ovecame Malek Jaziri 6-1 2-6 6-2 6-4 to reach the third round of this tournament for the sixth time in his career.
