Rafael Nadal Wins Hystorical First Round Match

Some 10 days ago, I published an article about how Spaniard Rafael Nadal was writing another page in tennis history. Well, I have to admit I was a little bit too excited about his equalizing Guillermo Vilas' 53-wins in a row record. Of course, it was a great performance by the young tennis sensation, but yesterday, on the clay of Roland Garros, Rafa' made it official. He is no longer tied for a world record. He is now all by himself…

Rafael Nadal has become the only tennis player in the Open era - basically the all-time tennis history - to win 54 matches on clay… and counting. From now on, every victory Nadal will manage on clay will be a new world record. After passing the barrier Vilas set in 1977, the Spaniard is now on the wings of success. Apart from reaching, in only 2 years, the 2nd place in the ATP race, he now holds a record that 99% of the tennis players only dream about in their entire careers.

And he did that yesterday, in the first round of the Roland Garros. The lucky loser's name is Robin Soderling. The Swede knew he had no chance of stopping history from happening. Actually, he may be happy about it, since his name will be linked with Nadal's new world record.

As expected, Rafael needed only three sets to beat the Swede, with a clean 6-2, 7-5, 6-1. "It's special. Fifty-four victories, it's very, very difficult. It's a lot of tournaments, a lot of matches. It's important for me", said Nadal. He was also praised by the very champ whose record he just broke, Guillermo Vilas. "If I had to lose that record, I'm pleased I was losing it to somebody like that. It's a pleasure to see him play and fighting. It's very good for tennis. He will inspire a new generation of players", said the South-American.

Nadal will try to defend last year's title at Roland Garros, especially now that he set a new world record on clay. He hopes to improve his 18-0 on this surface in the next 2 weeks, and will try to make it 2 in a row in the French capital. He will next meet either American Kevin Kim, or Brazilian Julio Silva.