Roland Garros | Nadal celebrates his 35th birthday with another win against Gasquet

Rafa Nadal turned 35 this Thursday where he has almost always celebrated his anniversaries since 2005, at Roland Garros. The Balearic gave himself a victory That allows him to continue in Paris for at least two more days (he will face Cameron Norrie in the third round tomorrow), although he looks like he will continue there until the end of next week. He passed over (6-0, 7-5 and 6-2) of a friend, Richard Gasquet, which he frustrates time and time again since their ATP crosses began in 2004, in the Estoril round of 16. Before, between the ages of 12 and 16, the one who won was the French, who is now dominated by Nadal in the face-to-face 17-0. It is the sixth match to reach such a huge difference in the Open Era (see table).

Knowing Rafa a little, it is hard to think that he would celebrate his birthday in any way before his match against Gasquet. They didn't even give him the classic cake they give him every year on that date, in a small ceremony that the tournament documents and proudly distributes. The reason is that the 13-time clay court Grand Slam champion played in the new night session of the Philippe Chatrier, at 9:00 p.m., without an audience, and with the stands covered with green canvases, due to the curfew that prevails since that time in the French capital.

The organization tests it in this edition to check its impact on the prime-time television slot, with a view to doubling the box office in 2022 if by then the pandemic allows it. And he wants the big stars to compete in that turn. Serena Williams, Djokovic and Medvedev performed the previous days in a cold, silent environment, in which you can even hear the sound of a ribbon being attached to the grip of the racket. There were complaints about the ball bounce, which slides more at night, and at the same time pride in being chosen.

Great first set

The fact is that Nadal cared little to play in those conditions, rather cool, and he started the dirty hour with a donut in 27 minutes. “I played an amazing first set, and I don't think Richard did too badly to stay at zero.”he said later. Gasquet had smiled upon hearing the Majorcan's count of titles in the presentation and the demons must have taken him when he saw that things were heading towards a new defeat. That's why he pulled with pride and his one-handed backhand, made a good second set and a decent third. The forces were equalized, but not enough to avoid the 3-0. “The important thing is to win, although if it's in three sets I don't complain,” joked Nadal. Gasquet, who turns 35 on June 18, once again congratulated his black beast to a few applause. You will not want to see him on a track again.