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Rafael Nadal French Open 2021 Djokovic
Rafa Nadal, Roland Garros, Tennis News

WATCH: Rafa Nadal hits staggering winner as he extends French Open streaks


Rafael Nadal extended two streaks at the French Open with a battling straight sets third round win against Cameron Norrie.

The third seed prevailed 6-3, 6-3, 6-3 against the world No. 45 in two hours and seven minutes.

The 13-time champion has now won 33 consecutive matches at Roland Garros going back to 2016, and 32 straight sets starting from the 2019 final.

“I won 13 titles here in Roland Garros on Court Philippe Chatrier, but every year it is a pleasure for me to be back,” Nadal said in his post-match interview.

“It doesn’t matter whether I play on Chatrier or here on Suzanne Lenglen. He [Norrie] is having his best season, winning plenty of matches.

“I saw his ranking on the Race [To Turin] before the match, and he is 13th. So he is very highly qualified.

“Have been a tough third round, but I found a way to be through and that’s the most important thing for me. I played for moments some good tennis, some moments I can do a little bit better.”

The Spaniard needed a single break – which he secured to go up 4-2 – to claim the opening set.

Norrie was up a break twice in the second set – to go up 2-0 and 3-1 – but he was broken straight back on both occasions.

Nadal then broke for a third time in the set to go up 4-3, and a fourth time to take the set 6-3.

The 35-year-old started the third set strongly by breaking the Brit to go 3-1 up, and he sealed victory after not facing a break point in the set.

He will face Jannik Sinner in the last 16 in Paris.


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Tim Farthing, Tennishead Editorial Director & Owner, has been a huge tennis fan his whole life. He's a tennis journalist and entrepreneur as well as playing tennis to a national standard. He also helps manage his local club and volunteers for his local tennis organisation. He's a specialist in content about the administration of professional tennis and tennis coaching for all levels.