Paris, July 29: Rafael Nadal triumphed in a thrilling first-round match at the Paris Olympics, defeating Marton Fucsovics 6-1, 4-6, 6-4. The Spaniard, who thrilled the crowd with his signature play on the clay court, set up a highly anticipated second-round clash against his longtime rival Novak Djokovic. Nadal, a 38-year-old tennis legend with 22 Grand Slam titles, showed flashes of his old form despite recent injuries, including a hip surgery last year. His victory was marked by enthusiastic support from the audience, who eagerly await the showdown between these two titans of the sport.The upcoming match between Nadal and Djokovic will be their 60th encounter, further intensifying the rivalry that has defined modern tennis. Djokovic, leading the head-to-head 30-29, has had a successful return from knee surgery, recently reaching the Wimbledon final. Nadal, despite a challenging season and a taped thigh, is poised to give his best performance. This match promises to be a classic, with both players bringing significant momentum into the encounter.