Nadal through on day of upsets at Roland Garros

Rafael Nadal showed no signs of pain as the 13-time French Open champion marched into the second round at Roland Garros with clinical 6-2 6-2 6-2 demolition of Australian Jordan Thompson on Monday.

The Spaniard, who had never arrived in Paris as unprepared as this year after a rib injury and a chronic foot problem hampered the build-up to his beloved Grand Slam tournament, was never bothered on a chilly court Philippe Chatrier.

“It’s incredible for me to play here again on Chatrier. I’m happy with this win. First round is always special,” said Nadal.

The 35-year-old, who has a record 21 men’s Grand Slam titles to his name, played down the chances of adding to his tally but his display was reminiscent of those of previous years.

It was an eventful day in the women’s draw, with former world number one Naomi Osaka and defending champion Barbara Krejcikova both crashing out of the tournament.

Afterwards, Osaka said she is considering snubbing Wimbledon in the wake of the decision to strip the championships of ranking points.
Four-time grand slam winner Osaka needs ranking points after slipping to 38 in the world going into the French Open, where she suffered a first-round defeat to Amanda Anisimova on Monday.

The 24-year-old said: “I would say the decision is kind of affecting my mentality going into grass, like I’m not 100 per cent sure if I’m going to go there.”

Osaka, who has been struggling with an Achilles injury which limited her match time in the build-up to Roland Garros, was beaten by America’s Anisimova for the second grand slam in a row, 7-5 6-4.

World number one Iga Swiatek, the hot favourite for the women’s title, had little problem dispatching Ukrainian qualifier Lesia Tsurenko.
The top seed from Poland wrapped up a 6-2 6-0 victory in less than a hour on Court Philippe-Chatrier.

Swiatek later revealed she still planned to play at Wimbledon, but called for unity in the sport.
“I have never really had a situation to play without points, and I don’t really know how I’m going to react,” she said.

Defending champion Barbora Krejcikova meanwhile was sent crashing out by French teenager Diane Parry.
Krejcikova, the Czech second seed, was playing her first tournament in three months after an elbow injury.

All looked well when she raced into a 6-1 2-0 lead but Parry, 19, reeled off six straight games to tie the match and eventually ran out 1-6 6-2 6-3 winner.