Rafael Nadal: Coach makes scary French Open claim ahead of Richard Gasquet clash
RAFAEL NADAL hasn’t hit his best form at the French Open and he can still step it up.
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That is the scary claim of his coach Carlos Moya.
Nadal booked his place in third round with a 6-2, 6-1, 6-1 win over Guido Pella.
The 10-time champion - who has only ever lost twice at Roland Garros - will look to advance to the second week of the Grand Slam tournament with victory over Richard Gasquet.
And Moya thinks it is natural for Nadal not to be necessarily firing on all cylinders at the start of a tournament.
“This is the norm with Rafa: He starts off slowly at Grand Slams and builds momentum,” Moya told ATP World Tour.
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He's not at his best yet, but as the level of competition improves, so will his level of play
“The first two rounds have been a feeling-out process.
“He's not at his best yet, but as the level of competition improves, so will his level of play.”
Moya, however, insists Nadal has room for improvement, adding: “Again, the score sheet doesn't tell the whole story.
“Nadal was aggressive and played well, but he didn't dominate throughout, as the final score suggests.
“He's settling down, set by set, but he still has a way to go.”
Nadal’s last-16 encounter against Gasquet shouldn’t present too many problems, as he hasn’t lost in 15 competitive meetings with the Frenchman.