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Rafa Nadal
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PARIS (Reuters): Claycourt machine Rafa Nadal celebrated his 35th birthday by handing his longtime pal Richard Gasquet a 6-0 7-5 6-2 masterclass as he stormed into the third round of the French Open on Thursday.
Thirteen-time Roland Garros champion Nadal showed no mercy as he demolished the Frenchman for the 17th time in as many professional encounters.
Gasquet beat Nadal in the semi-finals of the Under-14 Tournoi des Petits As in 1999, but since then has always emerged second best in their encounters.
The Spaniard has never been troubled by the Frenchman’s single-handed backhand and produced a ruthless display as he took a step closer in his pursuit of a men’s record 21st Grand Slam singles title.
Thursday’ match, scheduled in the night session, was played in an empty Philippe Chatrier stadium because of the local 9 p.m. curfew amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Gasquet’s defeat ended a woeful tournament for the French contingent as he was the last local favourite standing, meaning no French male or female player will be in the third round at Roland Garros for the first time since tennis turned professional in 1968.
It is the first time since Wimbledon 2007 that no local player features in the third round of their home Grand Slam.
