Rafael Nadal, the undisputed "King of Clay," began his quest for a record-extending 15th French Open title with a vintage display of power and precision on Court Philippe-Chatrier today. The Spaniard made quick work of his first-round opponent, World No. 78 Lorenzo Musetti, securing a commanding 6-1, 6-3, 6-2 victory in just under two hours.
From the outset, Nadal showcased his familiar dominance on the Parisian clay. His heavy topspin forehand proved too much for Musetti, who struggled to contain the relentless pressure. Nadal broke Musetti’s serve multiple times in the opening set, dictating play with his aggressive groundstrokes and an impenetrable defense.
Key Stats: Nadal hit 35 winners to Musetti's 18 and committed only 12 unforced errors throughout the match. His serve percentage was consistently high, keeping Musetti on the back foot.
The second and third sets followed a similar pattern. While Musetti managed to hold his serve for longer stretches and offered moments of brilliance, Nadal's experience and sheer will to win ultimately prevailed. The crowd roared their approval with every powerful shot and every triumphant fist pump from the 22-time Grand Slam champion.
"I am happy to be back here and to play a good match," Nadal commented after his victory. "Roland Garros is very special for me. Today was a good start, but there is a long way to go. I need to continue playing with this intensity and focus."
Nadal's performance quells any lingering doubts about his current form after a series of injuries in recent seasons. His seamless transition to Grand Slam play suggests he is a serious contender once again, despite not being the top seed.