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The 19-time Major champion and world no. 2 Rafael Nadal is through to the third round at Roland Garros from 16th time in as many appearances. Nadal took down the American Mackenzie McDonald 6-1, 6-0, 6-3 in an hour and 40 minutes, sailing into the last 32 in Paris.
It was the 95th win for Nadal in Paris from 97 encounters, producing his 277th Major triumph and the 440th on clay. The Spaniard had 31 winners and 15 unforced errors, never facing a break point and stealing McDonald's serve seven times from eight chances to control the pace and race over the finish line.
In the opening set, Rafa continued where he left against Egor Gerasimov, firing 12 winners and five unforced errors. Both Nadal and McDonald lost nine points behind the initial shot, with a difference in the break chances, with the Spaniard facing none and converting both for 6-1.
Rafa lost four of those points behind the initial shot in the opening game, holding after two deuces when Mackenzie netted a forehand. The American held at 15 in game two with a volley winner for a promising start, only to fade from the court after that.
Rafa secured the third game at love and drew first blood with a backhand down the line winner a few minutes later, stealing McDonald's serve at love to open a 3-1 gap. The defending champion held after deuce in game five to cement the lead, earning another break in game six when Mackenzie sprayed a forehand error.
Serving for the set, the Spaniard held at 30 with a forehand winner for 6-1 in 30 minutes, looking determined to seal the deal in no time. The American lost ground in set number two, hitting one winner and 11 unforced errors to suffer a bagel, standing powerless on both serve and return.
Nadal broke at 15 in the first game when Mackenzie netted a backhand, holding with a volley winner in game two to open a set and a break lead.
Rafael Nadal is safely through to the third round at Roland Garros.
McDonald sent a forehand wide in the third game to give serve away for the fourth straight time, reaching four deuces on the return in the next one but failing to create break opportunities.
Crumbling the opponent with deep and powerful strokes, Nadal grabbed another break in game five with a backhand down the line winner, securing the second set with a service winner at 5-0 to open two sets to love advantage in 64 minutes.
Mackenzie ended his drought after dropping 11 straight games, holding with a backhand winner in the first game of the third set. Rafa held at 15 in game two and scored a break in game three following a backhand slice mistake from the American, moving 2-1 in front and closer to the finish line.
The Spaniard closed the fourth game with a volley winner, with Mackenzie producing a fine hold after a forehand winner to remain within one break deficit. A forehand winner delivered a hold at love for Rafa in game six, keeping his strokes on a high level and moving two steps away from the win.
Finding the rhythm on serve in those moments, McDonald landed a drop shot winner for the third comfortable hold of the set, reducing the deficit to 3-4. Never putting a foot wrong in his games, Rafa closed the eighth game with a service winner, forcing the opponent to serve for staying in the match.
Nadal landed a backhand crosscourt winner for another break and the place in the next round, competing on a high level and looking strong ahead of more challenging opponents.