BEIJING, May 29 -- Rafael Nadal moved into the second round of the French Open ultimately with stunning nonchalance Wednesday, while high winds and a grand slam debutante threatened to trip up Maria Sharapova at the first hurdle. Nadal could hardly be any more at home on Court Philippe Chatrier if he wore carpet slippers, and the three-time defending champion barely broke sweat after a tight first set in his rain-interrupted match with Brazilian Thomaz Bellucci.
Held over at 1-1 in the first set after Tuesday's downpours, the Spaniard dashed past the south American qualifier 7-5, 6-3, 6-1 and awaits more eager prey in round two in the shape of France's Nicolas Devilder.
"You never know what can happen, I am just trying to do my best. It's always hard in the first round," the 21-year-old Spaniard said in a courtside interview after extending his Roland Garros career record to 22-0.
While Nadal reflects on his win, Sharapova will be wondering how she is not booking grasscourts for extra practice ahead of Wimbledon.
The top seed was two points way from defeat against Evgeniya Rodina before prevailing 6-1, 3-6, 8-6 in two hours and 28 minutes of windswept, frustrating action on Centre Court.
No women's top seed has bowed out at the first hurdle in Paris since the sport turned professional in 1968, and for spells it looked like Rodina, making her grand slam bow, and the blustery conditions would upend Sharapova.
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