Paris, May 26 (Agency) The 13-time time Rolland-Garros champion Rafael Nadal of Spain reached the latest milestone in his legendary career by earning his 300th Grand Slam match victory and eased into third round of the French Open. The Spaniard trounced Frenchman Corentin Moutet 6-3, 6-1, 6-4 here on Court Philippe Chatrier on Wednesday. He will will play Dutch player Botic van de Zandschulp in the third round. The 21-time Grand Slam winner became just the third man to reach the 300-win mark at the Grand Slams, behind only Roger Federer’s 369 wins and Novak Djokovic’s 324.
“The last couple of months haven’t been easy, and the beginning of the season has been fantastic, unforgettable and very emotional,” Nadal said after the match. “After Indian Wells, I had a problem in my rib and I had to be off the court for a while, so it’s day-by-day work and the victories help a lot. Playing rallies, winning matches like tonight, it’s so important. It gives me a chance to have another practice tomorrow, and then another match after tomorrow. I am just enjoying the fact that I’m at Roland-Garros, the most important tournament of the year for me,” he added.