Rafael Nadal will celebrate his 35th birthday at the French Open on Thursday by facing Richard Gasquet, a player he first encountered when he was just 12. French player Gasquet won his first junior clash against Nadal at the Petits As tournament in France in 1999. World number three Nadal, bidding for a 14th French Open and record-setting 21st Grand Slam title, is a close friend of Gasquet. Federer, the 2009 champion in Paris, made the second round with a straight sets win against Uzbek qualifier Denis Istomin. The 2019 champion admitted after her opening round win that she was "not 100%" after picking up a left hip injury.

Source: News 24 June 03, 2021 05:26 UTC