"I think I played great" - Nadal after win on birthday

Rafael Nadal defeated Richard Gasquet in straight sets to move on at Roland Garros on what was his 35th birthday.

Nadal turned 35 yesterday and he gave himself the perfect present by defeating Richard Gasquet in straight sets. It was a tale of three sets with Nadal smashing Gasquet in the first on 6-0 before losing a lead in the 2nd but still pulled through and a solid third one. On the match Nadal said:

“I think I played a great first set, one of the best of the clay-court season, in my opinion. No mistakes, high intensity, winners, playing long. In the second, still good… Then, of course, Richard is a great player. He had some good serves in the next game, and then [it] was tough.”

Gasquet put up a pretty good fight against Nadal and Nadal spoke of him highly after the match:

"I respect [him because] I know how good Richard is. I know he's coming back after a tough period of time. I think he played smart, playing aggressive. I just went on court with highest respect, with the highest focus possible, and that's what I try to do every day against everyone."

It won't get easier for Nadal as he will face Cameron Norrie in the next round. Norrie has been a steady performer on clay this season and he will certainly present a challenge to Nadal. On that matchup he said:

“Every week he's making good results, winning against very good players. I know it is going to be a tough one. I need to be ready to play my best. I know he has a style of game that is not easy to play against. I need to play well.”

Nadal holds a 2-0 H2H with both matches coming in 2021 including a win on clay in Barcelona.