Rafael Nadal has become only the third male player in history to win a 300th Grand Slam main draw match after beating Corentin Moutet in the second round of the French Open.
The world No.5 largely dominated proceeding through his 6-3, 6-1, 6-4, win over the Frenchman as he continues his bid to claim a record 14th title in Paris this year. Wednesday’s meeting was the first time the two players had locked horns on the Tour which saw Nadal hit a total of 27 winners against 22 unforced errors. It is the tenth time in his career he has beaten a French player at the Grand Slam.
“I’m happy I am through in three sets, that’s an important fact for me and that gives me the chance to keep working tomorrow and try to be ready for the day after tomorrow against a tough opponent,” said Nadal.
“I am happy about a lot of things that I did tonight, so let’s try to keep going and keep improving.”
Taking to the court Nadal settled into the match almost instantly against a player who grew up idolizing him. He first drew blood in the second game when a Moutet double fault gifted him his first break of the match. That was enough of a margin for the Spaniard to clinch the opener in just over 40 minutes. He converted his second set point with a blistering forehand winner down the line.
Gaining momentum the former world No.1 was even more clinical during the second frame which he started by winning four games in a row. Similar to the opener he worked his way to break point at the expense of a Moutet forehand volley before converting with a cross-court forehand winner. The double break was then sealed before Moutet managed to get back on the scoreboard. Giving the home crowd something momentary to cheer about. However, Nadal was always the one in control as he eased to a two-set lead by producing a drop shot which frustrated his rival who smashed the ball high into the air.
Closing in on his 107th win at the French Open, Nadal finally faced a test against a determined Moutet in the third set who refused to go down without a fight. Twice he had to regroup after dropping serve, including when he was a game away from victory. Despite those blips, he managed to tame the world No.139. A delicate drop shot grated Nadal his first match point before he went on to clinch the win following a lob from across the net that landed out.
“It was really intense. I had good moments, I had quite an equal game, but it was really difficult to maintain that in terms of intensity and of aggressiveness,” Moutet said afterwards. “His (Nadal’s) ball is really fast, so it was really, it was a physical match, it was not that long but it was really physical.”
In Grand Slam history only Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer have won more main draw matches than Nadal in mens tennis. He will play Botic van de Zandschulp in the third round who was leading Fabio Fognini 6-4, 7-6(2), 3-2, before the Italian was forced to retire due to injury.
