Defending champion Rafael Nadal started his Roland Garros campaign in style on Tuesday, taking down Alexei Popyrin in straight sets on Court Philippe Chatrier for his 101st match win in Paris.
The 13-time Roland Garros champion was tested by Popyrin, an Aussie based out of Spain with a solid clay-court game. Nadal had to save two set points in the third set, but raised his level to secure the 6-3, 6-2, 7-6(3) victory after two hours and 26 minutes.
"We are playing best-of-five. The other player needs to win two more sets to beat you, and I know I am going to be there fighting for every single point," said Nadal of those set points. "Of course I don't want to lose the set at all, but that's part of the game. You face a player that [has] decided to go for every shot, so you are in trouble. If he's having success like he did with his serve, then it's difficult to have breaks, and then you are in a tricky position."
Since 2016, only three players have taken a set from Nadal at Roland Garros: Diego Schwartzman, David Goffin and Dominic Thiem. Nadal's victory over Popyrin also marks his 31st consecutive win at this event, a streak dating back to 2015 (l. Djokovic, quarter-finals).
The Spaniard made quick work of the first and second sets against Singapore champion Popyrin, No. 63 in the FedEx ATP Rankings. Nadal targeted the Popyrin second serve and kept the Aussie under pressure as he reeled off seven games in a row to clinch the first set and begin the second with a daunting 4-0 lead. The third seed only faced one break point during this stretch as Popyrin punished a high-bouncing drop shot from Nadal at 1-0 in the second set. But Nadal responded emphatically with a serve-and-volley combo, pulling Popyrin out wide and putting away the volley.
Down two sets to love against the 13-time Roland Garros champion, Popyrin seemed to swing more freely in the third set and stayed toe-to-toe with Nadal. He finally found his chances at 3-2, and the French crowd roared as the Aussie beat Nadal at the net with a zinging passing shot on his way to break point.
Popyrin had Nadal on the ropes as he took a 5-2 lead and fought his way to two break points at 5-4. But Nadal’s experience shined through in the tough moments, and a Popyrin double fault and a missed smash gave the Spaniard the edge he needed to break back. The Aussie did well to save four more break points as he took them into a tie-break, but the defending champion was in full flight. Nadal won six consecutive points to take control of the tie-break, taking his third match point to claim the victory.
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"With this serve, with these kinds of shots from the baseline, [Popyrin has] everything to become a top player," Nadal said. "If he wants to do it, of course he is going to have his chances, because he has a lot of very difficult things in his game. He has everything to become a great, no, a fantastic player. Let's see. Let's see what is going on in the next couple of months, years."
Nadal will next face Frenchman Richard Gasquet as he seeks a spot in the third round. Gasquet, who took down wild card Hugo Gaston 6-1, 6-4, 6-2, trails Nadal 0-16 in their FedEx ATP Head2Head.
Did You Know?
Four-time defending champion Nadal is bidding to win his 21st Grand Slam title. A victory would break his tie with Roger Federer and make him the sole owner of the all-time record for most Grand Slam men's singles titles.
The 13-time Roland Garros champion was tested by Popyrin, an Aussie based out of Spain with a solid clay-court game. Nadal had to save two set points in the third set, but raised his level to secure the 6-3, 6-2, 7-6(3) victory after two hours and 26 minutes.
"We are playing best-of-five. The other player needs to win two more sets to beat you, and I know I am going to be there fighting for every single point," said Nadal of those set points. "Of course I don't want to lose the set at all, but that's part of the game. You face a player that [has] decided to go for every shot, so you are in trouble. If he's having success like he did with his serve, then it's difficult to have breaks, and then you are in a tricky position."
Since 2016, only three players have taken a set from Nadal at Roland Garros: Diego Schwartzman, David Goffin and Dominic Thiem. Nadal's victory over Popyrin also marks his 31st consecutive win at this event, a streak dating back to 2015 (l. Djokovic, quarter-finals).
The Spaniard made quick work of the first and second sets against Singapore champion Popyrin, No. 63 in the FedEx ATP Rankings. Nadal targeted the Popyrin second serve and kept the Aussie under pressure as he reeled off seven games in a row to clinch the first set and begin the second with a daunting 4-0 lead. The third seed only faced one break point during this stretch as Popyrin punished a high-bouncing drop shot from Nadal at 1-0 in the second set. But Nadal responded emphatically with a serve-and-volley combo, pulling Popyrin out wide and putting away the volley.
Down two sets to love against the 13-time Roland Garros champion, Popyrin seemed to swing more freely in the third set and stayed toe-to-toe with Nadal. He finally found his chances at 3-2, and the French crowd roared as the Aussie beat Nadal at the net with a zinging passing shot on his way to break point.
Popyrin had Nadal on the ropes as he took a 5-2 lead and fought his way to two break points at 5-4. But Nadal’s experience shined through in the tough moments, and a Popyrin double fault and a missed smash gave the Spaniard the edge he needed to break back. The Aussie did well to save four more break points as he took them into a tie-break, but the defending champion was in full flight. Nadal won six consecutive points to take control of the tie-break, taking his third match point to claim the victory.
Follow Live Scores At RolandGarros.com
"With this serve, with these kinds of shots from the baseline, [Popyrin has] everything to become a top player," Nadal said. "If he wants to do it, of course he is going to have his chances, because he has a lot of very difficult things in his game. He has everything to become a great, no, a fantastic player. Let's see. Let's see what is going on in the next couple of months, years."
Nadal will next face Frenchman Richard Gasquet as he seeks a spot in the third round. Gasquet, who took down wild card Hugo Gaston 6-1, 6-4, 6-2, trails Nadal 0-16 in their FedEx ATP Head2Head.
Did You Know?
Four-time defending champion Nadal is bidding to win his 21st Grand Slam title. A victory would break his tie with Roger Federer and make him the sole owner of the all-time record for most Grand Slam men's singles titles.