Nadal cruises into 2nd round after dismantling Groth

Rafael Nadal is back doing what he does best: Demolishing opponents on the red clay of Roland Garros.

The nine-time champion's 6-1, 6-1, 6-1 victory against Sam Groth of Australia added another notch to the Spanish player's stunning record in Paris, now at 71 wins, with just two losses.

Groth, an Australian ranked 100 who has yet to make the second round of the French in two visits, lacked the variety of shots and power to derail Nadal's pursuit of a 15th major title.

''So bad, so bad,'' he muttered to himself after netting a backhand as Nadal raced through the first set. In all, they were on court for 80 minutes.

Seeded fourth, Nadal lost last year in the quarterfinals to Novak Djokovic, ending a 39-match winning streak at Roland Garros.