(May 29, 2014) Four-time defending champion Rafael Nadal put down one of the up-and-coming young guns of the men’s tour Dominic Thiem of Austria 6-2, 6-2, 6-3 on Thursday. The victory ups the world No. 1’s record at the French Open to 61-1, the lone loss coming in 2009.
At times, Thiem displayed his promise with all out shots, but Nadal’s stability and experience was too much for the 20-year-old.
“It was a dangerous match, dangerous opponent today,” Nadal said to reporters “I am happy with the way I resisted. When I had to play long points I did well. When I had to attack and move him, I think I did well.”
Nadal emphasized that his young opponent will have chances in the furture at the major tournaments.
Nadal is trying to become the first man to win five straight French Open titles. He has won the tournament 8 times.
Fifth seeded David Ferrer of Spain, Seventh seeded Scotland’s Andy Murray, and 12th seeded Richard Gasquet of France also advanced to the third round of Roland Garros in straight sets.
Andy Murray overpowered Australian Marinko Matosevic 6-3, 6-1, 6-3.
“It was a good serving performance today, especially when I was down in games,” Murray said. “In the game I got broken right at the end, it was not down to my serving, really. I just missed a few other shots. I was just trying to make sure that my intensity was there every moment, especially at the beginning of the sets. I managed to get ahead early in all of them, and that helped.”
