(AFP) – Rafael Nadal has booked his place in the third round of the French Open courtesy of a straight-sets victory over German qualifier Yannick Maden this afternoon.
The defending champion took over two hours to win 6-2, 6-1, 6-4 on Court Suzanne Lenglen.
There were some shaky moments in the third set when our champ twice lost his serve, but he never looked in any real danger against an opponent who was playing in his first ever second round at a major.
After the match, Rafa was asked during his post-match interview if he could give some tips for success on the Parisian clay to the children who watched him dispatch his opponent.
“The main thing is, don’t think about winning Roland Garros. Have fun, enjoy, and try your best every single day,” Rafa said. “I never thought about (winning Roland Garros). I’ve just tried my best, enjoyed the process. Think about your personal feeling, the most important thing is to finish your career knowing you gave your best every single day.”
He will face next David Goffin in the last 32.
29th May 2019, Roland Garros, paris, France; French Open Tennis tournament; Rafael Nadal (ESP) is welcomed to the Philippe Chatrier court by his adoring fans (photo by Jon Bromley/Action Plus via Getty Images)
29th May 2019, Roland Garros, paris, France; French Open Tennis tournament; Rafael Nadal (ESP) prepares to serve to Yannick Madden (GER) (photo by Jon Bromley/Action Plus via Getty Images)
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Spain’s Rafael Nadal holds towels during his men’s singles second round match against Germany’s Yannick Maden on day four of The Roland Garros 2019 French Open tennis tournament in Paris on May 29, 2019. (Photo by Philippe LOPEZ / AFP) (Photo credit should read PHILIPPE LOPEZ/AFP/Getty Images)
Spain’s Rafael Nadal returns the ball to Germany’s Yannick Maden during their men’s singles second round match on day four of The Roland Garros 2019 French Open tennis tournament in Paris on May 29, 2019. (Photo by Ibrahim Ezzat/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
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Spain’s Rafael Nadal is seen during a break during their men’s singles second round match against Germany’s Yannick Maden on day four of The Roland Garros 2019 French Open tennis tournament in Paris on May 29, 2019. (Photo by Ibrahim Ezzat/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
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Tennis – French Open – Roland Garros, Paris, France – May 29, 2019. Spain’s Rafael Nadal in action during his second round match against Germany’s Yannick Maden. REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbach
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Tennis – French Open – Roland Garros, Paris, France – May 29, 2019. Spain’s Rafael Nadal in action during his second round match against Germany’s Yannick Maden. REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbach
Tennis – French Open – Roland Garros, Paris, France – May 29, 2019. Spain’s Rafael Nadal looks on during his second round match against Germany’s Yannick Maden. REUTERS/Christian Hartmann
Tennis – French Open – Roland Garros, Paris, France – May 29, 2019. Spain’s Rafael Nadal looks on during his second round match against Germany’s Yannick Maden. REUTERS/Christian Hartmann
Spain’s Rafael Nadal reacts during his men’s singles second round match against Germany’s Yannick Maden on day four of The Roland Garros 2019 French Open tennis tournament in Paris on May 29, 2019. (Photo by Philippe LOPEZ / AFP) (Photo credit should read PHILIPPE LOPEZ/AFP/Getty Images)
PARIS, FRANCE – MAY 29: Rafael Nadal of Spain plays a forehand during his mens singles second round match against Yannick Maden of Germany during Day four of the 2019 French Open at Roland Garros on May 29, 2019 in Paris, France. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)
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Rafael Nadal of Spain (L) won against Yannick MADEN of Germany during the Roland-Garros 2019, Grand Slam Tennis Tournament, men’s draw on May 29, 2019 at Roland-Garros stadium in Paris, France. (Photo by Ibrahim Ezzat/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
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Spain’s Rafael Nadal celebrates after winning against Germany’s Yannick Maden at the end of their men’s singles second round match on day four of The Roland Garros 2019 French Open tennis tournament in Paris on May 29, 2019. (Photo by Philippe LOPEZ / AFP) (Photo credit should read PHILIPPE LOPEZ/AFP/Getty Images)
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A somewhat popular French actor has announced that he will be there on the third round to forcefully support Goffin the Belgian, just in order to spite Rafa. Some French spectators have already created controversy by verbally aggressing Rafa about his yellow top linking him to the “gilet jaunes” sometimes both peaceful and violent protest movement. I do hope Rafa does not loose concentration due to such unsportspersonlike behaviour.
Hopefully Rafa wiil show everyone who is the master of Roland Garros by being agressive bageling and giving breadsticks whenever possible.
Whatever happens, Wamos Rafa you are the best.
BEAUTIFUL PHOTOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) YOUR HARD WORK AND FITNESS ARE BEAUTIFULLY SHOWN HERE AND ALSO LOVE THE WAY YOU ARE SO GENUINE WITH YOUR HAND SHAKE AT THE END OF THE MATCH……… PRECIOUS GOAT SPORTSMANSHIP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) WE LOVE YOU !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!: ) XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO
VAMOS SWEETHEART!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR FEISTY SOLID SOLID SOLID BEAUTIFUL VICTORY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) VERY FAST AND BEAUTIFUL AND EXCITING MATCH SWEETHEART!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) VAMOS DEAR RAFA FOR ALL YOUR HARD WORK AND GORGEOUS WIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) YOUR ENDURANCE SWEETHEART IS SPECTACULAR !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) SO BLISSFULLY FIT …………….AND HUNKY GORGEOUS……………… AND STRONG………………… AND PLAYING WITH SUCH EXTRAORDINARY POWER AND INTENT…………………. AGGRESSIVE AND COMMANDING…………. JUST PURE CLASS OF YOUR OWN RAFA MAGIC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) GENIUS GIFT SIDE TO SIDE GENIUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) ON THE RUN BANANA WINNERS GENIUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) STUNNING SERVE GENIUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) GORGEOUS STRONG HUNKY LEGS GENIUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) BRILLIANT REACH GENIUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) COMMANDING COURT GENIUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) GREAT WI……………..WI……………WI…………PRECIOUS RAFA NADAL IN ACTION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) YOU LOOK SO BEAUTIFUL OUT THERE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) GLIDING AND SLIDING AND RUNNING AND NETTING AND VOLLEYING AND RETURNING AND TOTALLY COMMANDING COURT PRESENCE AND BEAUTIFUL AGGRESSIVE AND DECISIVE FIGHTING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) WE LOVE YOU RAFA NADAL AND VERY HAPPY FOR YOU AND YOUR STUNNING ENERGY AND SKILL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) YOU HAVE THE RIGHT SPECIAL FIRE AND YOU ARE SUCH A CLASSY GOAT AND A FAVORITE TENNIS PLAYER EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) WE LOVE EVERYTHING ABOUT YOUR PLAY SWEETHEART AND SENDING LOTS OF LOVE AND HAPPINESS AND VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) ENJOY A GREAT EVENING AND A BEAUTIFUL TOMORROW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) ENJOY CELEBRATING YOUR BRILLIANT VICTORY CHAMP AND TAKE GREAT PRIDE WITH YOUR BEAUTIFUL TOP TOP TOP TOP WONDROUS TENNIS GOODS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) YOUR PLAYING IS MIGHTY IMPRESSIVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) ALWAYS BEAUTIFUL AND EXCITING TO WATCH YOUR SPEED AND MOVEMENT AND AGILITY AND PRECIOUS SERVE AND FITNESS AND BLESSED FOCUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) GOD BLESS YOU AND HAVE LOTS OF FUN !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX
Great Composure Rafa
Some beast mode shots along the way
Congratulations on another’s win Rafa you are the king of clay vamossssssssss. Champ💪💪💪🎾🎾🎾😘😘😘❤️❤️❤️👍👍👍🏆😘😘😘😘💪💪💪💪💪❤️🎾😘💪❤️🎾👍😘💪❤️🎾🏆
Awesome match Rafa
Rafa playing comfortably now. The engine purring very nicely:)
Keep it going against Goffin champ!
WHAT IS GOING ON???
As of this writing, there are TEN French players still alive in the French Open. TEN! Is this a plan for a Frenchman to win by packing the field with French players hoping one will dethrone Rafa? Maybe not. I just find it surprising.
THE MALLORCAN ROCKS
Now it’s down to eight: Tsonga and Gasquet just lost their match.
THE MALLORCAN ROCKS
Rafa should sweep till Semis then the real challenge begins
Vamos #RG12#
Carlos Moyá: …with the new serve, being more aggressive and pressuring the opponents… is the way to lengthen his career and avoid wear and tear.
[SOURCE: Excerpt from ATP article]
RAFA ROCKS
Congratulations Rafa👏 Rafa was tested well in the third set but overall another great match!
Good luck in the next round against Goffin🍀❤️
First and second set were great, third set a little bit slow😉 take rest and than all the best against Goffin on friday. Vamos Rafa <3
The 3rd set was a bit wobbly, but I think he just lost concentration. Fingers crossed for the next round – Goffin’s playing very well.
setinthepast, I noted that when Goffin beat Stan at this past Rome Masters in the R64. At the time I said [to no one in particular] Stan, how could you lose to Goffin?
But then del Potro fixed things in the next round [R32] winning 6-4, 6-2.
I don’t think he’ll be a problem for Rafa but could put up a good fight.
RAFAMAZING ROCKS
Not too stressful, hopefully 🙂 !!
Congrats on another win for Rafa. Two down five to go.
Rafa has won all three clay matches against Goffin. Goffin won one at hard. Make it four clay wins Rafa.
RAFAMAZING ROCKS
Very glad to see your victory!
Amazing shots! (Again!)