PHOTO OP: Just another first round win

"I'M ALIVE!"

So Rafael Nadal's first round match went swimmingly. Not.

The defending champ was pushed to his first EVAH fifth set at Roland Garros by the towering John Isner but raised his level in the final two sets (try ZERO unforced errors in the fourth) to prevail 6-4, 6-7(2), 6-7(2), 6-2, 6-4 in a little over 4 hours. He'll take on - deep breath - compatriot Pablo Andujar for a spot in the third round. The pretty will be off the charts (if you don't believe me click here) and LARGE since the match will surely be televised. There is a GAWD, people.

Anyway, I wouldn't read too much into Rafa's struggles in this match. The first round is always nerve-wracking and he always has a few extra Beyonce's dancing in his gut when he faces big servers like Tree. These ballers don't give the Spaniard the rhythm he craves.

He did look great in the photo blue Rafa Tierra Crew. So there's that.

[Photo(s): AFP PHOTO / MIGUEL MEDINA]