Rafael Nadal was content with the manner in which he started the defence of his French Open title on Tuesday as he beat teenager Quentin Halys in straight sets.
Nadal has won an incredible nine times at Roland Garros, but has been far from at his best this year and arrived in Paris as the sixth seed and ranked seventh in the world.
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The Spaniard avoided what would have been a sensational first-round exit on on Philippe-Chatrier Court, winning 6-3, 6-3, 6-4 against 18-year-old French wild card Halys.
Nadal did not find it straightforward against the world's 296th-ranked player, but was encouraged by his first-round performance.
"It's not easy to play against a player who wants to hit winners from every ball, but my feelings have been good," Nadal said. "When I have the chance to play normal points I think I changed a good direction with my forehands.
"After the first three games, I started a little slow; I started moving the ball better. I am happy with the way that I played, it's the first match and I played well."
Nadal is determined to put his disappointing form so far this year behind him as he turns his attention to what he expects to be tricky second-round encounter with Nicolas Almagro.
"I am here to try to play good tennis and to give me a chance to play well and compete," he said. "I will try as I try every year, my same is as always. It is not a good round [facing Almagro], but I will try to play well and try to win."