The 12-time French Open winner spent just one hour and 40 minutes on court; Dominic Thiem overcomes Jack Sock at Roland Garros
Thursday 1 October 2020 10:35, UK
Rafael Nadal flew into the third round of the French Open with a straight-sets victory over Mackenzie McDonald on Wednesday.
Nadal took just 31 minutes to secure the first set and added the second 35 minutes later. He wrapped up the 6-1 6-0 6-3 result with his 31st winner; a sumptuous cross-court backhand.
The world No 2 did not face a break point on his serve and the result improves his record at the French Open to 95 victories and just two defeats.
The Spanish second seed, who is looking to equal Roger Federer's men's record of 20 singles Grand Slam titles, was never bothered by his opponent.
He played deep throughout and used his forehand to devastating effect. After, the 34-year-old was content with his work.
"My objective is to play as well as I can. It was a good match for me today. I'm very happy," Nadal said after his victory.
He also reflected on the qualities required to be a Grand Slam champion and said that starts with loving what you do.
"There's not one tip as to how to be a champion, there are a couple of things that you have to do well," he said.
"First of all, you must have the passion for what you are doing. If you don't feel the sport and have passion for tennis, then it's almost impossible.
"You have to be around the right people and find the people who are going to help you in a positive way every day."
Stefano Travaglia has the challenge of meeting Nadal in the third round after his victory over Kei Nishikori.
US Open champion Dominic Thiem survived a third-set wobble and had to save three set points to beat American Jack Sock 6-1 6-3 7-6 (8-6).
The victory means Thiem progresses into the third round for a fifth successive year after he won the last five points of the match after trailing 3-6 in the tie-break.
"I feel pretty good. Not perfectly perfect. I guess that's normal. I think the main thing is that I fight 100 per cent," he said.
"It paid off. I was saving three set points to avoid a fourth set. That's very important in the early rounds, to save energy.
"I'm still a little bit on the happy wave of New York, I would say. Of course, at one point I'm going to get super tired. I guess all the tension and focus on Roland Garros, it's hiding still the tiredness and everything. I hope I can push it as far as I can."
The third seed will now meet the in-form Casper Ruud after he beat Tommy Paul 6-1 1-6 6-3 1-6 6-3.
Earlier in the day, Stan Wawrinka, the victor over Andy Murray in the first round, secured his 150th major match victory on Court Suzanne-Lenglen.
The 2015 French Open Champion pushed past Rome quarter-finalist Dominik Koepfer 6-3 6-2 3-6 6-1 to secure his place in the third round.
Wawrinka did not make life easy for himself, hitting 52 unforced errors, however prayed on his opponent's inability to hit winners past him.
The Swiss player will now face the French wild card Hugo Gaston next.
On Court 7, American Sebastian Korda, the world No 213, stunned his compatriot John Isner 6-4 6-4 2-6 6-4 to advance in the tournament.
Korda is the son of the 1992 French Open runner-up Petr Korda and was playing in just this fifth tour-level match.
He will now set his eyes on qualifier Pedro Martinez. Taylor Fritz was another American to progress in the draw after a comprehensive result against Radu Albot.
He won 52 of 61 points on his first serve and put down 16 aces during his 6-3 6-2 6-4 victory and Lorenzo Sonego awaits in the third round.
Alexander Zverev battled back from a dreadful start to outlast home hope Pierre-Hugues Herbert in a fluctuating five-set match.
The runner-up at this month's US Open, spent three hours and 59 minutes to carve out a 2-6 6-4 7-6 (7-5) 4-6 6-4 victory on Court Philippe Chatrier
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