Rafael Nadal and Kyle Edmund safely into French Open second round
Rafael Nadal is safely into the second of Roland Garros, but he was made to work for it by Simone Bolelli.
The Spaniard – top seed, world number one, reigning champion and red-hot favourite to win what would be an 11th French Open crown – had to wait over night to complete his match with the lucky loser Italian due to adverse weather in Paris.
Nadal led by two sets overnight but trailed 3-0 in the third when the rain came on Monday evening.
Bolelli forced four set points in a marathon third set tie-break before Nadal eventually triumphed 6-4 6-3 7-6 (11/9).
Meanwhile, British number one Kyle Edmund eased into the second round with an authoritative straight-sets win over Australian youngster Alex De Minaur.
Edmund, looking to build on his stunning run to the Australian Open semi-final in January, overpowered and outclassed his 19-year-old opponent throughout on his way to a 6-2 6-4 6-3 victory.
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