TENNIS:RAFAEL NADAL last night insisted he always plays badly in the first round of the French Open after a straight-sets success against plucky French teenager Gianni Mina.
Four-time champion Nadal, who last year suffered his first defeat at Roland Garros in his 32nd match, did not have it all his own way against last year’s junior runner-up.
But wild card Mina’s boundless energy was not enough to prevent him falling to a 6-2, 6-2, 6-2 defeat and handing Nadal a second-round match against Horacio Zeballos or Martin Fischer.
Admitting to feeling nervous on Suzanne Lenglen Court, Nadal said: “I remember the four times that I won here, I always had first matches that were really bad.
“I practised really well, so I hope it is only a little bit of an accident today. I think I am playing well enough.”
Nadal insisted he was not surprised by his 18-year-old opponent, who repeatedly got to break point on the second seed’s serve.
“I was more surprised about myself than him, because he’s a good player, a young player, and always young players have good potential and nothing to lose in big match,” Nadal said of the world number 655.
Earlier, Andy Roddick came from two sets to one down to beat Jarkko Nieminen. The American – who has missed the entire season on clay for personal reasons – avoided a fifth first-round exit in nine appearances thanks to a 6-2 4-6 4-6 7-6 (7/4) 6-3 win on Philippe Chatrier Court.
Roddick only lost his booming serve twice, but each time Nieminen made him pay by clinching the second and third sets.
The Finn produced some inspirational tennis before Roddick’s dominant serving set up a second-round match with Blaz Kavcic
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