Smiles as titles stay at home
Dominate Nadal takes French Open title Dream becomes reality for Halep
PARIS: World No 1 Rafael Nadal said it was beyond a dream to win his 11th Roland Garros title after defeating Austrian Dominic Thiem in straight sets yesterday.
“It’s amazing now, I can’t describe my feelings,” Nadal told the crowd on Philippe Chatrier Court moments after capturing his 17th Grand Slam trophy with a 6-4, 6-3, 6-2 victory.
“It’s not even a dream to win here 11 times, because its impossible to think of something like this.”
Nadal saluted his 24-yearold opponent, who is the only man to have beaten the Spaniard on clay over the past two seasons.
“He’s very aggressive, with big shots,” Nadal said in halting French before switching to English.
“I want to say well played to Dominic. He played a great two weeks. He’s a good friend, one of these players that the tour needs. I am sure you’ll win here in the next couple of years.”
The emotional Spaniard wiped away tears as he held on to the Coupe de Mousquetaires.
“Many thanks,” he told the crowd. “I hope to see you again next year.”
In 11 finals in Paris, Nadal has only lost six sets as he matched the all-time record of most singles titles won at the same Grand Slam event set by Margaret Court at the Australian Open during the 1960s and 70s.
Yesterday’s result marks the sixth consecutive Grand Slam won by either Nadal or 20-time major champion Roger Federer.
The muscular Spaniard had won all 10 of his previous Roland Garros finals and Thiem never threatened the claycourt master yesterday.
Nadal called on the trainer to get his forearms massaged twice in the final set but even that problem failed to improve Thiem’s chances of emulating fellow Austrian Thomas Muster’s 1995 triumph.
Nadal got off to a dream start, pocketing the first six points of the match as he broke Thiem in the second game to open up a 2-0 lead.
Thiem broke back immediately as he continued to go for his shots, and he saw off a break point to hold for 2-2.
Nadal, however, turned the screw in the 10th game and Thiem seemed to grow nervous, sending a forehand long to hand his opponent the opening set. He bagged the second set when Thiem sent a backhand long.
Thiem was still on the back foot in the third set before Nadal had his forearm massaged at the changeover before resuming his demolition job. He ended Thiem’s ordeal on his fifth match point when the Austrian returned long. – Reuters PARIS:A childhood dream has finally become a reality for Simona Halep and she still couldn’t believe the moment was real when she beat Sloane Stephens to win her first major title at the French Open in Paris on Saturday.
Halep has endured heartbreak in major finals before, losing twice at the French Open and more recently in the 2018 Australian Open final against Caroline Wozniacki.
However, at the fourth attempt against Stephens, this was her moment though she had to overcome a battle of deja vu after she fought from a set and a break down to emerge victorious with a 3-6, 6-4, 6-1 triumph in two hours.
“It’s not going to happen again, but it’s Okay. I have just to play,” commented Halep on what her mindset was like when she was in the position of losing another final.
“Then when I started to win games, I said there is a chance to come back and win it. So I believed in that, and my game was more relaxed. I could make more things on court, and that’s why I could win.
“I couldn’t breathe very well in the last game at 5-0. I had just to calm down my mind and not thinking about the trophy that much. I was very strong mentally to finish that.”
Halep clutched the Suzanne Lenglen trophy tightly and didn’t want to let it move far from her side in the post-match press conference, as this was the realisation of a dream goal the Romanian has had since she began a journey in tennis at 14 years-old.
As a teenager she went on to win a juniors title at the French Open in 2008 and even back then she knew that her first major title at senior level would come on the clay in Paris.
“I was dreaming for these moments,” said Halep.
“I was dreaming to win a Grand Slam. But the most important moment was when I won juniors. I said that if I will win a Grand Slam in professional tennis, I want it to be the same one. THE Down Run defending champions Charne Bosman and David Gatebe were more than happy to succeed their titles to fellow South African athletes in yesterday’s Comrades Marathon.
The duo failed to defend their titles and were unable to claim podium finishes. Bosman was the hot favourite to retain the title she clinched in 2016 Down Run but finished fifth, while Gatebe, who smashed the Down record two years ago was rewarded with an eighth spot for his efforts.
Massmart Athletic Club athlete, Ann Ashworth surprised herself as she earned her maiden triumph in the women’s category while Bongmusa Mthembu reigned supreme in the men’s category.
The Bulwer born athlete won back-to-back Comrades as he reached Moses Mabhida Stadium comfortably ahead of the chasers.
Speaking after the race Bosman was happy that the title will remain in South Africa.
“I gave it my best. I felt great at the beginning and around 42 to 43km I could feel that my legs were little bit stiff. The last 20km I just hung in there. I just gave my best and I wanted to finish the race. I’m very happy, fifth place is still great for me. I got my 5th gold, so I’m going to get my green number and that’s the bonus for me. I’m glad for Ann because she is a South African and the fact that the second lady is also from South Africa (Gertha Steyn) is a bonous,” an exhausted Bosman explained.
“I’m delighted that the title was won by a South African,” said Gatebe.
“So I’m really happy that I didn’t win Melbourne (at the 2018 Australian Open) and it happened here!”
The world No 1 also had to double check that the trophy she earned after her epic victory wasn’t a phantom.
“I kissed it many times to be sure that it’s going to stay in my heart forever,” she said.
The tennis world meanwhile rejoiced in the 26-yearold’s success as waves of social media well wishes poured in.
Two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova posted: “Simonaaaaa! You did it. So happy for you. Enjoy every second. You deserve this moment so much.”
While 18-time major champion Martina Navratilova was more poetic in her response: “patience brings roses as my grandmother used to say. And a lot of talent and work wins Roland Garros.”
Halep was humbled by the overwhelming reaction to her win and now she says she can go to bed safe in the knowledge she achieved her dream.