Nadal still not happy after smoother victory
Rafael Nadal enjoyed a smoother time after a bumpy ride in his opening match but a 7-5 6-3 7-6 win over fellow Spaniard Pablo Andujar in the French Open second round on Thursday still did not satisfy the champion.
Rafael Nadal enjoyed a smoother time after a bumpy ride in his opening match but a 7-5 6-3 7-6 win over fellow Spaniard Pablo Andujar in the French Open second round on Thursday still did not satisfy the champion.
The world number one was given a severe fright on Tuesday when taken to five sets for the first time at Roland Garros by big-serving American John Isner.Doubts still lingered about his form on Thursday in the heavy and blustery Paris air but his battling qualities could never be questioned after saving seven set points in the third against a tricky opponent."I think for moments I played a little bit better. For moments I'm sure I didn't play well. I think in general that the match wasn't good for me," Nadal, who next faces Croatian qualifier Antonio Veic, told a news conference."But not for the wind, because I am practicing well, but I am not playing very well when I play matches. That's why. No excuse. If you play good, it seems like there is much less wind. If you are playing bad, it seems like a hurricane."The top seed, bidding for his sixth title in seven years here to draw level with Bjorn Borg, broke for 4-2 in the first set and came back from 0-40 down at 5-3 in the second.Final defeats by in-form Novak Djokovic on the clay in Madrid and Rome had already dented Nadal's confidence heading into the second grand slam of the year before the brutal, rabbit-out-of-the-hat win over giant Isner."The problem is I am not playing aggressive enough," said the Mallorcan. "Probably I am playing a little bit nervous, and that's why my legs didn't work as well as usual."Veic could also pose a threat after he beat Russia's 28th seed Nikolay Davydenko, twice a semi-finalist in Paris. Discover the latest Business News, Sensex, and Nifty updates. Obtain Personal Finance insights, tax queries, and expert opinions on Moneycontrol or download the Moneycontrol App to stay updated!
