Roland Garros Tuesday Diary

© AFP/Getty ImagesGianni Mina drew comparisons to fellow Frenchman Gael Monfils.

Rafa Roars: Rafael Nadal’s 6-2, 6-2, 6-2 win Tuesday over young Frenchman Gianni Mina was – statistically, at least – the easiest first-round victory of his career at Roland Garros. Nadal’s loss of six games topped his loss of just eight games in his very first Roland Garros match in 2005 against Lars Burgsmuller and his 2006 opener against – ironically, enough - Robin Soderling. In seven of his past 12 matches at Roland Garros, Nadal has conceded six games or less.

Mina Image: More than a few observers getting their first look at World No. 655 Mina were struck by his resemblance to countryman Gael Monfils. With his athletic physique, sleeveless shirt and acrobatic playing style, Mina looked every bit a younger version of the 2008 Roland Garros semi-finalist.

Slovenia's Success: Slovenia is one of Europe’s smallest countries, occupying just 20,000 square kilometres and housing just 2 million people. But the nation stood tall at Roland Garros Tuesday as Grega Zemlja and Blaz Kavcic both advanced to the second round after claiming the first Grand Slam match wins of their careers.

Zemlja, 23, had not won a tour-level match this season before stunning 26th-seeded Argentine Juan Monaco in four sets to claim the 13th tour-level match win of his career. Kavcic, whose grandfather was an Olympic alpine skier, claimed just the 10th tour-level win of his career with victory over Argentine Eduardo Schwank.

Lleyton On Time: Lleyton Hewitt timed his 7-5, 6-0, 6-4 win over Frenchman Jeremy Chardy to perfection. Around 8.30 pm and at match point, rain began to bucket down. Not wanting to be stranded overnight one point from victory, Hewitt made sure to squeeze in one more point needed to complete the victory… before players and fans bolted for cover! Although Roland Garros has never been the happiest of hunting grounds for Hewitt, the Australian two-time former ATP World Tour Champion has survived the first round 10 consecutive times.

Quote Of The Day: “There was a lot of ugliness out there today…  The majority of the matches I win aren't pretty. But I've made a career out of that.” – Andy Roddick after scratching out a five-set win over Finn Jarkko Nieminen.