Nadal wins record 54th consecutive claycourt match

PARIS, May 29 (Reuters) Spain's Rafael Nadal won a record 54th consecutive men's claycourt match when he beat Sweden's Robin Soderling 6-2 7-5 6-1 in the French Open first round today.

The defending champion's victory on centre court meant he surpassed the previous professional era record of 53 claycourt wins set by Argentine Guillermo Vilas in 1977.

Reuters CH KP2342