Rafael Nadal Wins 300th Roland Garros Set, Ousts Popyrin To Reach Round Two - UBITENNIS

Rafael Nadal Wins 300th Roland Garros Set, Ousts Popyrin To Reach Round Two

Rafael Nadal began his Roland Garros campaign with a straight sets win over Alexei Popyrin.

By Tony Fairbairn
3 Min Read

Rafael Nadal won his 300th, 301st and 302nd Roland Garros sets to beat Alexei Popyrin 6-3 6-2 7-6(3).

The Spaniard began his search for a 21st grand slam with a testing match against the young Australian.

Next for Nadal will be familiar foe Richard Gasquet.

It was a competitive start to the match as Popyrin was looking to use his raw power to outhit Nadal’s defensive traits.

The Australian had to overcome a couple of tight service games as Nadal applied the pressure in the first set.

However the 13 time champion wasn’t able to raise his level in the crucial moments as Popyrin managed to hang on in the match.

That was until the eighth game as Nadal carved out a break point opportunity and took it as he took a 5-3 lead.

A hold to 15 secured the opening set in 39 minutes as he used his experience to get ahead.

In the second set, Nadal didn’t raise his level much but Popyrin’s level decreased as a flurry of unforced errors appeared from his racket.

Nadal managed to construct the points well but there was too much rushed play from the young Australian as Nadal raced to a 4-0 lead.

At that point Nadal managed to create some effective combinations of play as he sealed a two sets to love lead.

The third set was finally the moment that Popyrin gave Nadal a good test of what he was capable of.

Some controlled aggression and more risks taken showed why he is tipped to be in the top 10 one day.

Eventually Popyrin’s power secured him a vital break of serve as the world number 63 lead 5-2 in the third set.

There was a mini-argument at the change of ends between the two players about the time it was taking Nadal to be ready for a return of serve.

That was the costly mistake that Popyrin made as some really big unforced errors mixed with double faults ensured he wasn’t able to take two set points and was broken while serving for the third set.

In the end the third set went to a tiebreak as Nadal couldn’t take his break point opportunities in the eleventh game.

However he did take his opportunities in the tiebreak as his forehand dominated proceedings as he won it 7-3 and claim victory.

A good opening test as Nadal looks for Roland Garros number 14 and grand slam title number 21.

Next for the Spaniard is Richard Gasquet after he beat Hugo Gaston 6-1 6-4 6-2.

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