(Rafa's all smiles as he moves on in the competition!)
Tennis action is underway at Roland Garros and Our Hero, Rafael Nadal, has continued his winning ways in the first round of competition. After dropping the first set to an extremely competitive 59th-ranked Daniel Brands, Rafa rebounded to win 4-6, 7-6 (4), 6-4, 6-3. It's the first time Rafa lost the opening set in a first round match at Roland Garros. It's not the first time he faced an early challenge though. In 2011, John Isner took Rafa to 5 sets in the 1st round before Nadal won it 6-4, 6-7, 6-7, 6-2, 6-4. That's the only time Rafa played a 5-set match at the French Open! But just like in 2011, Nadal found a way to take control and get the job done. With this win, Nadal improved his career record at Roland Garros to 53-1,which is totally crazy.
Even though Nadal already owns a record 7 French Open titles, this year he bids to become the only man with 8 championships at ANY Grand Slam event. Wouldn't that be a fun distinction? Up next he'll play Martin Klizan from Slovakia in the second round. He's a lefty as well, so that should prove interesting, but Rafa should get passed him without much problem.
Elsewhere around the tournament 25 Americans were entered into the draw (15 men, 10 women) and 14 (4m, 10w) survived the first round - the most in 10 years. I hope the US players can continue to have a good showing. And of course we are all hoping Serena Williams extends the longest winning streak of her career by steamrolling over the rest of the field and claiming her first French Open title since 2002. It's long passed due for her to raise the trophy again. VAMOS!!
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