PARIS – Rafael Nadal crashed to his earliest exit at the French Open on May 27 after a 6-3, 7-6 (7-5), 6-3 first-round defeat by fourth seed Alexander Zverev, with fans wondering if the 14-time champion will return to the Grand Slam he has ruled for two decades.
PARIS – Rafael Nadal crashed to his earliest exit at the French Open on May 27 after a 6-3, 7-6 , 6-3 first-round defeat by fourth seed Alexander Zverev, with fans wondering if the 14-time champion will return to the Grand Slam he has ruled for two decades.
Nadal was broken by in-form Rome champion Zverev in the opening game and surrendered his serve again late on to drop the first set in unfavourable conditions for him with the roof closed due to heavy rain. The boisterous crowd tried their best to roar Nadal on but Zverev held his nerve to clinch a famous victory that could well prove to be the springboard he needs to push for an elusive first Grand Slam title.
“It’s a very special tournament for me, it was the first time in a quarter-final of a Grand Slam, so I have some great memories.” “Matches like that give me a lot of satisfaction,” said Swiatek, who next faces former world No. 1 Naomi Osaka in the second round. “Overall, I am happy with my performance.“I think it’s too early. For sure I’m proud of my achievements,” said Swiatek. “It’s always been my favourite surface. It is where tennis gives me the most pleasure.”
However, she rallied strongly to register her first win at a Grand Slam since the 2022 Australian Open.
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