French Open: Rafael Nadal delivers set - four-set win over David Goffin
Despite a small slip in set three, Rafael Nadal has reached the round of 16 of the French Open. The Spaniard defeated David Goffin 6: 1, 6: 3, 5: 7 and 6: 3.
by Nikolaus Fink
last edit:
May 31, 2019, 07:37 pm
Just a few days ago, Rafael Nadal had mentioned how comfortable he was on the clay courts of the world in sunny conditions. In addition, the Spaniard was allowed to play his third round match against David Goffin on "his" Court Philippe Chatrier - there could have been better conditions for Goffin.
Nadal started like a fire brigade in his living room and got the first five games before Goffin wrote to him for the first time. The Belgian saw no land at all against the Mallorcan forehand grind and had to pass round one with 1: 6.
# BETATHOMEFO #
A similar picture emerged in the second section. Nadal grabbed the Belgian's first and last service game and easily won the second set. It was 6: 3 on the scoreboard, but in reality Goffin was a little further away from the world ranking second.
Goffin wins the set
Only in the third set was the 28-year-old able to make the match more open. At the crucial moment, Goffin struck 4: 4 and then served the passage safely. It was Nadal's only second set loss at the French Open since 2017. Two years ago, the Mallorcan did not make a set on his way to the title, in 2018 only Diego Schwartzman won a set against the Spaniard.
In the fourth section, Nadal quickly restored the old balance of power and took Goffin's 3: 1 serve. The World Ranking 29th fought bravely on, but he didn't want Rebreak anymore. So Nadal fixed the 6: 1, 6: 3, 5: 7 and 6: 3 victory after 2:49 hours. In the round of 16, the 32-year-old meets Juan Ignacio Londero.