Nadal reaches 300 Grand Slam wins against Moutet

At night, a situation that he does not like at Roland Garros, Rafa Nadal reached 300 victories in Grand Slams yesterday by winning 6-3, 6-1 and 6-4 in 2h09 against Corentin Moutet, one of those rivals who does not hide his admiration for the Balearic. “I started playing for him, I slept in one of his tank tops,” the 23-year-old French wild card ranked 139th in the world said Monday after knocking out three-time major winner Wawrinka. With Rafa he could not, despite the support of the local public in the Chatrier.

The Spaniard continues to devour achievements at almost 36 years old. Enter the third hundred of great triumphs, as Federer (369) and Djokovic (325) did before. Distance more to Connors (233) and Agassi (224). In addition, his balance in matches played before the round of 16 in the tournament, excluding his retirement in 2016, when he was going to play in the third round against Marcel Granollers, is 52-0. And it is a real nightmare for the French. His record against them is 96-13, with 16 wins in a row, and they have never beaten him at Roland Garros (10-0 and 30-2 in sets).

For the rest, in Nadal’s game there were more light than dark. Although he conceded two breaks in the third set, did not serve badly in general and Moutet only enjoyed four break chances. He hit the net raises (19/25). He found winners with both the drive (20) and the backhand (9). It also moved nimbly and quickly, sideways and forwards. And he didn’t add many unforced errors (22).

ultimate effort

In the epilogue, Nadal had to work a little more and responded. He evened the score and flipped it wisely. He did not fail in closing to confirm another positive step forward. In the third round, the Dutchman Van de Zandschulp awaits him tomorrow, a rival he has not yet faced and who defeated the Italian Fognini. Rafa smiled because he knows that… “This is a day job. Wins help. And I want to enjoy being here.”