Nadal through with ease

Rafael Nadal began his second French Open winning streak today with a straight-sets win over plucky French teenager Gianni Mina.

Four-time champion Nadal, who last year suffered his first ever defeat at Roland Garros in his 32nd match there, did not have it all his own way against 2009's juniors runner-up.

But wildcard Mina's boundless energy and enthusiasm were not enough to prevent him falling to a 6-2 6-2 6-2 defeat and handing Nadal a second-round match against Horacio Zeballos or Martin Fischer.

World number 655 Mina, the lowest-ranked player in the draw, repeatedly earned himself break points on the Nadal serve but he was unable to convert any of them, while dropping his own five times.

The pattern of the match was set right from the off, with second seed Nadal immediately breaking.

But Mina refused to be overawed, earning three break-back points in the next.

The youngster was hitting impressive winners off both wings, fashioning break points in every one of Nadal's first-set service games but losing his own serve again in game five proved fatal.

The second set was a more straightforward affair for Nadal, who broke twice more, although his opponent continued to chase down every ball.

The third set was another prolonged affair, despite the scoreline, with Nadal securing another two breaks before serving the match out after two hours and 23 minutes.