Nadal sees off German named Yannick; next up, a German named Yannick
Spain’s Rafael Nadal reacts as he hits a return to Germany’s Yannick Hanfmann during their men’s singles first round match on day two of The Roland Garros 2019 French Open tennis tournament in Paris on May 27, 2019. (Photo by Thomas SAMSON / AFP)For nine minutes, Yannick Hanfmann dared to dream as the world number 184 from Germany carved out four break points on the serve of Rafael Nadal.But the 11-time champion saved them all in the first game of the match and that was about as good as it got for Hanfmann as the world number two cruised to a 6-2, 6-1, 6-3 win on Monday.ADVERTISEMENT LATEST STORIES MOST READ Trending Articles PLAY LIST 00:50Trending Articles06:56Magalong drops Albayalde’s name in ‘ninja cops’ probe01:42Cayetano asks Robredo, opposition to stop ‘politicizing’ drug war02:42PH underwater hockey team aims to make waves in SEA Games01:44Philippines marks anniversary of massacre with calls for justice01:19Fire erupts in Barangay Tatalon in Quezon City01:07Trump talks impeachment while meeting NCAA athletes02:49World-class track facilities installed at NCC for SEA Games02:11Trump awards medals to Jon Voight, Alison Krauss Catholic schools seek legislated pay hike, too In the end, Hanfmann became Nadal’s 87th victim at Roland Garros but he took comfort from seeing the great Spaniard from up close.“Now I know how it feels to have a guy like him, he has such a unique game on clay.“To feel his ball, how it feels on my strokes. I tried to play some lefties and told them, ‘Okay, maybe you can try to be Rafa a little bit,’ but nobody can be him.”For 32-year-old Nadal, next up is — another German qualifier in the shape of Yannick Maden, ranked at 114.He had won just one match on tour in 2019 before he doubled that tally on Monday by beating Belgium’s Kimmer Coppejans 7-6 (7/0), 7-5, 6-3 to give him a second round clash with Nadal.ADVERTISEMENT PDEA chief backs Robredo in revealing ‘discoveries’ on drug war “That first game was disappointing,” said 27-year-old Hanfmann, who arrived in Paris with just one win to his name this year.He had earned just $3,600 since the turn of the year while Nadal has already banked $3.7 million in the same period.FEATURED STORIESSPORTSPrivate companies step in to help SEA Games hostingSPORTSPalace wants Cayetano’s PHISGOC Foundation probed over corruption chargesSPORTSSingapore latest to raise issue on SEA Games food, logistics“I feel like in the first game I did some good returns. And obviously Rafa is also a bit nervous.“You can see that. I took my chances there. And, yeah, I wish I would have seen what happens after maybe a break and then maybe I can hold and maybe it goes a little bit differently. But, you know…” ‘Rebel attack’ no cause for concern-PNP, AFP Private companies step in to help SEA Games hosting Two-day strike in Bicol fails to cripple transport Like Hanfmann, 29-year-old Maden played college tennis in the United States and until Monday had yet to register a win at the Slams.“With YouTube you can find things,” said Nadal of the potential pitfalls of facing the relative unknowns of Hanfmann and Maden.Sports Related Videospowered by AdSparc Read Next DA eyes importing ‘galunggong’ anew Ethel Booba twits Mocha over 2 toilets in one cubicle at SEA Games venue Cayetano: Senate, Drilon to be blamed for SEA Games mess Rafael Nadal cruises through at Roland Garros Don’t miss out on the latest news and information. View comments