(AFP) – Rafael Nadal survived a mini-crisis to rack up his 80th win at Roland Garros on Tuesday as the 10-time champion defeated Italian lucky loser Simone Bolelli 6-4, 6-3, 7-6 (11/9) to reach the second round.
Rafa had been two sets up but 0-3 down in the third when rain caused the tie to be suspended late Monday. He quickly levelled at 3-3 on Tuesday, saved four break points in the eighth game before saving four set points. Rafa eventually claimed the match on a third match point when Bolelli dumped a forehand into the net.
After the match, Rafa said:
I really suffered today but it was a good test.
It was a very difficult match. Simone played very well, very aggressively. He had a lot of chances in the third set.
But I am happy to have won here on this court, the most important of my career.
Our champ next faces Guido Pella for a place in the last 32.
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Spain’s Rafael Nadal celebrates after victory over Italy’s Simone Bolelli during their men’s singles first round match on day three of The Roland Garros 2018 French Open tennis tournament in Paris on May 29, 2018. (Photo by CHRISTOPHE SIMON / AFP) (Photo credit should read CHRISTOPHE SIMON/AFP/Getty Images)
Spain’s Rafael Nadal and Italy’s Simone Bolelli she hands after their first round match of the French Open tennis tournament at the Roland Garros stadium in Paris, France, Tuesday, May 29, 2018. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)
Tennis – French Open – Roland Garros, Paris, France – May 29, 2018 Spain’s Rafael Nadal hugs Italy’s Simone Bolelli after winning his first round match REUTERS/Christian Hartmann
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Spain’s Rafael Nadal celebrates after victory over Italy’s Simone Bolelli during their men’s singles first round match on day three of The Roland Garros 2018 French Open tennis tournament in Paris on May 29, 2018. (Photo by CHRISTOPHE SIMON / AFP) (Photo credit should read CHRISTOPHE SIMON/AFP/Getty Images)
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PARIS, FRANCE – MAY 29: Rafael Nadal is seen changing shirt during the 2018 French Open – Day Three at Roland Garros on May 29, 2018 in Paris, France. (Photo by Bertrand Rindoff Petroff/Pierre Suu/Getty Images)
PARIS, FRANCE – MAY 29: Rafael Nadal is seen changing shirt during the 2018 French Open – Day Three at Roland Garros on May 29, 2018 in Paris, France. (Photo by Bertrand Rindoff Petroff/Pierre Suu/Getty Images)
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Source: AFP
Rafa very well done,
and I am quite sure Carlos Moya and the team will help you get your serving going stronger for the next matches.
Love and prayers for next match,
AlaineXXSydneyXXAustraliaXX
Rafa,you must get the level of your game up and up….if you want to win 11.Stop “suffering “,start playing more aggressive and your first serve…please…a lot of improvement needed there.Please,do your homework and start playing the way that only you can play. Vamos
Good luck to next one! 💪💪💪🍀🍀🍀Vamos!
What has happened to Rafa’s first serve? This was the worst I’ve seen it. Plus, having to do so many second serves only emphasized how long he is taking each time. More first serves = less endless seconds spent. I love Rafa to pieces, but the length of time he takes is getting excruciating. What is he going to do when they use the shot clock at the US Open?
First service percentage has got to improve, or he is just going to make life harder for himself.
One down! Six more to go. Vamos💪
One own! Six more to go. Vamos💪