Right after Gabrine Muguruza's win against Johanna Larrson of Sweden, the crowd at Court Suzanne-Lenglen was waiting for something more, someone who has clearly dominated the French Open for over a decade.

While Yannick Maden of Germany was welcomed with a subtle warm wave of greetings by the Roland Garros loyals, the giant roar woven with appreciations, adoration and respect was saved for the one who entered in a neon attire with his signature head-band, Rafael Nadal. Prior to this, Nadal had seen off Yannick Hanfmann, also of Germany in straight sets 6-2, 6-1, 6-3.

Record winner of the French Open, Nadal popularly acknowledged as the 'King of Clay' for the years of dominance on his favourite surface is among the favorites to finish the tournament with all smiles and tears but of glory at the Court Philippe-Chartier on the 9th of June. With racquets designed to deliver power, Nadal's forehand is what makes him peculiarly stronger than his opponents on clay. According to Eric Ferrazzi of Babolat, manufacturing company of Nadal's racquet, the world No 2 prefers extra tension which delivers additional power to his shots for the kind of results he aims for.

Rafa clearly was the centre of attraction in Court Suzanne-Lenglen on a warm Paris summer on Wednesday. Despite the nature of victory the Spaniard produces on clay resonating to a lion feeding on its prey, his movement on the surface, in quite a sharp contrast is a pleasure to the eyes. It's almost like the cells on his entire body know where to go next as his body movement seem so well acquainted with the next move of his opponents.

The 11th seed Marin Cilic of Croatia reckons that Nadal's ability to adapt to the demands of time and situations is what makes him very special. Injury did threaten to end the career of the Spaniard towards the end of 2016, a year in which he did not win a single Grand Slam title, but came out stronger in 2017 splitting all the four majors with Roger Federer, probably his greatest rival of all times. What his story teaches people in all walks of lives is to have passion for what they love.

Every single time Nadal steps on the court, he is extremely ready to compete, in all honesty with sportsmanship of paramount significance. When Maden slipped at his side of the court in the second set with the match poised one way at 4-1 (15-0), Rafa graciously reached the nets to take stock of his opponent, the gesture meeting a huge applause of gratitude and appreciation from supporters of both the players including the journalists.

In recent years, Rafa has improved his second serve with more speed and appears a lot more calm during play. The former world No 1 is earning a lot more fans than ever before even for being graceful in doing what he does the best, win matches. Rafa moves to the Round of 32 following a 6-1, 6-2, 6-4 win against the German. His journeys at the Roland Garros have always been the ones to watch but with the likes of familiar rivals in Novak Djokovic and Federer ahead along with rising starts Greek prodigy Stefanos Tsitsipas and Germany's Alexander Zverev around to steal his smiles, have no second thoughts, we are up for a great competition at the Roland Garros in which the Spaniard hopes to 'bite' one more Le Coupe d es Mousquetaires to his already illustrious collection of trophies.