NADAL TARGETS 10TH FRENCH OPEN TITLE
30-year-old chasing a record 10th French Open title after return to form
WITH the world’s top five filled for the first time by players over 30, Rafael Nadal is poised to tighten the old guard’s grand slam grip by capturing an unprecedented 10th French Open.
The Spaniard, written off as a contender in Paris after a quarterfinal loss to Novak Djokovic in 2015 and an injury-enforced pull-out before the third round last year, arrives at Roland Garros as the new favourite to add the 2017 title to victories in 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014.
The 30-year-old has already reached the magical 10 titles number this year at the claycourt events in Monte Carlo and Barcelona.
He also won Madrid for a fifth time, ending a sevenmatch losing streak, over two years, against Djokovic in the process.
Nadal boasts a sensational career record at Roland Garros -- 72 wins and just two defeats, to Djokovic in 2015 and an injury-affected shock loss to Robin Soderling in 2009.
That defeat to the Swede opened the door for Roger Federer to win his only French Open title.
However, Federer, at 35, the oldest man in the top five, is skipping the French Open to bid for an eighth Wimbledon title.
Djokovic, the defending champion in Paris, and world No 1 Andy Murray are struggling for form and confidence, leaving Nadal as the man to beat when the tournament starts on Sunday.
Nadal’s record on clay against the world’s top two is also heavily weighted in his favour – 8-2 against Murray (2-0 at Roland Garros) and 10-5 when facing Djokovic (5-1 in Paris).
This year’s Roland Garros will be the last for Nadal’s coach, his uncle Toni.
In contrast, Djokovic will work with US legend Andre Agassi for the first time, in an attempt to get his career back on track. Djokovic completed the career grand slam at last year’s French Open when he also held all four majors.
On clay this year, he has at least been on an upward curve – quarterfinals in Monte Carlo, semifinals in Madrid and a runners-up spot in Rome, where he was demolished by Alexander Zverev.
Murray, defeated by Djokovic in last year’s final, has had a wretched season by his standards, with an elbow injury not helping his cause.
He lost the third round in Monte Carlo, made the semis in Barcelona and was a third-round loser in Madrid before an opening defeat in Rome to Fabio Fognini.
World No 3 Stan Wawrinka, the shock champion in 2015, is also struggling with just two wins on clay all spring.
Should the likes of Nadal, Djokovic and Murray falter, then the much-hyped #NextGen, featuring the likes of Zverev and Dominic Thiem could profit. – AFP