‘I was amazed’ – Top analyst impressed by Rafael Nadal power

Former world number two Alex Corretja has claimed he was “amazed” by how hard Rafael Nadal was hitting the ball during his second round victory over home crowd favourite Corentine Moutet. 

The 21-time Grand Slam winner came into this year’s French Open as an injury doubt, after struggling with a foot problem at the Rome Masters earlier this month.

The Spanish veteran admitted that it was an injury he had been “living with” and something that could be flare up at anytime.

However, in his opening two matches at Roland Garros, the 35-year-old has been unhindered by the injury and won both his matches comfortably in straight sets.

On Wednesday, Nadal recorded his 300th career Grand Slam match win by beating the 23-year-old Frenchman Corentin Moutet 6-3, 6-1, 6-4.

Reflecting on the 13-time French Open champion’s routine victory, former French Open runner-up Alex Corretja said it was a “perfect match” by Rafael Nadal and he admitted he was impressed by the world number five’s power.

Speaking to Eurosport, the 48-year-old told reporters, “It was a perfect match for Rafa.

“He played great, felt the ball very good, was moving well and was aggressive.

“Only one game I think he played not so good, at the beginning of the third set, but from then on he recovered and he was dictating.

“I was amazed by how hard Rafa was hitting the ball. In my opinion, he was hitting the ball harder in the first two rounds than ever before at Roland-Garros.

“We will have the statistics but he was hitting the ball super-hard.”

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