Rafael Nadal escaped one of the biggest upsets in tennis history after fighting back from a set down to beat America’s John Isner 6-4, 6-7 (2/7), 6-7 (2/7), 6-2, 6-4 at the French Open.
The defending champion, bidding for a record-equalling sixth Roland Garros title, had never previously dropped a set in the tournament’s first-round but came close to a huge shock against the big-serving world number 39.
“He was a very, very tough opponent,” said Nadal. “His serve is almost unstoppable at times, so I just want to congratulate him for this fantastic match.”
Top seed and five-time winner Nadal, whose claycourt invulnerability was punctured by recent losses to Novak Djokovic in the finals of the Madrid and Rome Masters tournaments, will confront countryman Pablo Andujar in round two.
Sharapova through, Ivanovic crashes out
Maria Sharapova eased into the Roland Garros second round, disposing of Croatian veteran Mirjana Lucic 6-3, 6-0, as the former world number one began her campaign to clinch a first French Open title.
It took the seventh-seeded Russian just 56 minutes to seal victory as her 29-year-old opponent, playing the tournament for the first time in eight years, was overwhelmed, winning just four points in the second set.
“It was a tough beginning,” said Sharapova. “But once I got a good rhythm I felt like I started playing better and better.”
Sharapova was joined in the second round by China’s Li Na, who overcame Barbora Zahlavova Strycova to progress 6-3 6-7(6) 6-3.
Meanwhile, former champion Ana Ivanovic slumped to a 7-6,0-6, 6-2 first-round defeat to Johanna Larsson. The 20th-seeded Serb lacked consistency against the world number 64 and bowed out after one hour and 49 minutes.
Sania through in doubles
Meanwhile, in the doubles event, Sania Mirza of India and her Russian partner Elena Vesnina defeated Russian Ekaterina Makarova and Vera Dushevina 7-6, 6-2. Mirza, world number 72 and married to Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Malik, has now earned two consecutive victories as she opened her French Open with a win over German Kristina Barrois
Murray eases past Prodon
British fourth-seed Andy Murray comfortably dispatched French qualifier Eric Prodon 6-4, 6-1, 6-3 to reach the second round.
The world number four and three-time Grand Slam runner-up will now play Italy’s Simone Bolelli for a place in the last-32.
Heather Watson claimed a 7-6 (8/6), 6-1 win over veteran Stephanie Foretz Gacon while world number one Caroline Wozniacki crushed Japan’s Kimiko Date-Krumm 6-0, 6-2 in the first round.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 25th, 2011.
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