PARIS, Sept 29: Defending champion Rafael Nadal and 23-time Grand Slam champion Serena Williams advanced to the second round of the ongoing Roland Garros with straight-sets wins in their respective opening round matches. On Monday, Nadal defeated Belarusian Egor Gerasimov 6-4, 6-4, 6-2 to reach the second round where he will face Mackenzie McDonald.
�It is a different Roland Garros. Totally different than we are used to� But for me this year is as special as every one at Roland Garros,� Nadal said on court as per the ATP Tour website. �I am going to keep trying my best. I am happy to be in the second round (after) a good start and now is the moment to go back to the hotel, have a good practice tomorrow and try to be ready for the second round,� he added. In the women�s singles, Williams began her quest for a 24th Grand Slam title, surviving a topsy-turvy opening set to ultimately ease past fellow American Kristie Ahn 7-6(2), 6-0.
�The biggest difference was just confidence,� the American said after the match as per the WTA website. �I just need to play with more confidence, like I�m Serena.�
�So that was it. I just started playing like that, and I love the clay and I started playing like it, opening the court and moving and sliding,� she added.
Up next for Williams is US Open quarterfinalist Tsvetana Pironkova.
Meanwhile, newly-crowned US Open winner Dominic Thiem also claimed straightforward victory as he defeated Marin Cilic of Croatia 6-4, 6-4, 6-2. However, Russia�s Daniil Medvedev was unable to clinch his first win at the Roland Garros after suffering a shocking 6-4, 7-6(3), 2-6, 6-1 defeat against Hungarian Marton Fucsovics. It was the fourth successive first-round-exit for Medvedev at the Roland Garros. � IANS
