Rafael Nadal's bid for an unprecedented eighth French Open title was given a huge scare by unheralded German Daniel Brands on Monday before the Spanish superstar prevailed 4-6, 7-6 (7/4), 6-4, 6-3.
Defending champion Nadal, who before this year had only lost once in 53 matches at Roland Garros, dropped the opening set of a Grand Slam for the first time in his career as Brands, the world number 59, unleashed a barrage of attacks off both sides to leave the third seed reeling.
Brands, who had lost all four of his previous first round matches in Paris, also led 3/0 in the second set tie-breaker as he appeared poised to deliver the first defeat of a men's champion in the opening round in tournament history.
But Nadal, who arrived in Paris having won six titles in eight finals since his return from a seven-month injury lay-off, eventually found his rhythm to steady the ship as the 25-year-old Brands' big-hitting gameplan ran out of firepower.
"He was playing unbelievable. I tried to find my game and tried to resist his fantastic shots," said third-seeded Nadal.
"He played a great match and put me in a tricky situation."
At the start, Brands looked to have taken inspiration from Robin Soderling, the only man to beat Nadal in Paris four years ago, and Lukas Rosol, who dumped the Spaniard out of Wimbledon last year.
He unleashed a barrage of super-charged winners, throwing caution to the cold Paris wind.
Nadal was clearly rattled and a double fault gave the German a break for 5-4 in the opener and the set was wrapped up with a down-the-line winner.
It was only the 15th set Nadal had lost in his Roland Garros career.
Brands continued his fearless assault in the second set, taking a 3/0 lead in the tie-breaker which could have been 4/2 had he not blundered with a simple backhand volley.
That miss proved the turning point and Nadal didn't give him another chance as he took the breaker to level the tie at a set apiece.
The Spaniard was quickly 2-0 ahead in the third set, saved a break point in the eighth before a brutal forehand winner gave him a two sets to one lead.
A break in the opening game of the fourth set gave Nadal the edge he needed and the tie was his when Brands went wide with a weary forehand.
Nadal will face either Martin Klizan of Slovakia or Michael Russell of the United States for a place in the last 32
AFP
Mon May 27 2013
Jalan berlubang bukan benam atau mendapan tanah tambak
Kejadian jalan berlubang yang berlaku di Jalan Syed Abdul Aziz, Melaka Raya, disahkan bukan akibat mendapan tanah tambak.
Perkasa tatakelola institusi infaq, jangan khianati amanah - Mohd Na'im
Sebarang bentuk ketidaktelusan dan penyelewengan akan menyebabkan orang ramai hilang kepercayaan terhadap institusi yang terlibat, sekali gus menyebabkan mereka tidak lagi berminat untuk bersedekah.
Tidak perlu guna MyDigital ID untuk MyJPJ bermula 10 Okt - Loke
Orang ramai tidak perlu menggunakan MyDigital ID untuk mendaftar masuk aplikasi MyJPJ bermula 10 Oktober ini, kata Menteri Pengangkutan, Anthony Loke.
Pasukan petugas khas KKM siasat kematian pakar patologi
Kementerian Kesihatan menubuhkan satu pasukan petugas khas bagi menyiasat insiden kematian seorang pakar perubatan patologi di Lahad Datu, baru-baru ini.
PM Anwar tiba di Islamabad untuk Lawatan Negara, disambut Shehbaz Sharif
Pesawat khas yang membawa Anwar mendarat di Pangkalan Udara Nur Khan, Rawalpindi di sini, jam 7.55 malam waktu tempatan.
Pelajar tingkatan satu maut jatuh bangunan
Polis mengesahkan seorang pelajar perempuan Tingkatan Satu maut selepas terjatuh dari bangunan di sebuah sekolah di Jalan Syed Putra pada Selasa.
Sepanyol evakuasi 350 warganya dari Lubnan susulan ketegangan
350 individu itu menyatakan hasrat untuk kembali ke Sepanyol berikutan situasi tegang di Asia Barat.
Berita tempatan pilihan sepanjang hari ini
Berikut adalah berita yang paling menjadi tumpuan sepanjang Rabu, 2 Oktober 2024.
Berita antarabangsa pilihan sepanjang hari ini
Antara pelbagai berita luar negara yang disiarkan di Astro AWANI, berikut adalah yang paling menjadi tumpuan sepanjang hari ini.
10 Berita Pilihan - (02 Oktober 2024)
Antara pelbagai berita dalam dan luar negara yang disiarkan di Astro AWANI, berikut adalah yang paling menjadi tumpuan sepanjang hari ini.
Tenis Terbuka Perancis: Nadal mudah lepasi pusingan pertama
Nadal yang mempamerkan aksi dominan, menang 6-2, 6-2, 6-2 untuk mara ke pusingan kedua dengan mudah.
Rafael Nadal raih gelaran ke-12 Terbuka Perancis
Rafael Nadal meraih gelaran ke-12 kejuaraan tenis Terbuka Perancis selepas menewaskan Dominic Thiem 6-3 5-7 6-1 6-1 sebentar tadi.
Ranking ke-10 dunia milik Chong Wei
Menurut senarai terbaru yang dikeluarkan Persekutuan Badminton Dunia (BWF), Chong Wei melonjak sembilan tangga daripada ranking ke-19 susulan kejuaraan Terbuka Perancis pada Ahad lalu.
Wei Feng mara ke undian utama Terbuka Perancis
Pemain perseorangan kedua negara, Chong Wei Feng layak ke undian utama badminton Siri Super Terbuka Perancis selepas melepasi dua halangan peringkat kelayakan malam tadi.
Stan Wawrinka menang Terbuka Perancis, Djokovic gagal buat kali ketiga
Stan Wawrinka musnahkan harapan Novak Djokovic untuk meraih career grand slam pada Ahad dan terus menjadi pemenang Terbuka Perancis paling tua dalam tempoh 25 tahun.