Nadal supreme in French Open
TENNIS
PARIS: Spaniard Rafael Nadal inflicted one of the most humiliating defeats on Novak Djokovic in the French Open final yesterday, thrashing the world No 1 60, 62, 75 to lift a recordequalling 20th grand slam men’s singles title.
Tennis fans would have been salivating at the prospect of another epic clash in one of the sport’s greatest rivalries but it proved to be one of the most onesided grand slam finals in the open era under the closed roof of Court Philippe Chatrier.
The roof was closed just before the start of play, sending fans and pundits on social media into a frenzy on who would benefit most from the indoor conditions.
Many thought it would favour the Serbian’s game against Nadal (34), who was bidding for a 13th title on the red clay courts at Roland Garros.
But Nadal adapted brilliantly as he has done all fortnight.
The stakes were high for both players in their ninth meeting in a grand slam final — they were tied 44 previously — with the added incentive of lifting another major trophy in the battle to be considered the men’s ‘‘Greatest of all time’’.
Nadal has now tied Roger Federer’s haul of 20 majors.
Djokovic, the last active player to beat the Spaniard at Roland Garros, is three adrift.
‘‘To win here means everything. I don't think today about the 20th and equal Roger on
Nadal's home and the Spaniard did not once leave the door ajar for the Serbian to make a comeback into the match.
Djokovic (33), who had won five grand slam finals in a row since losing to Stan Wawrinka at the 2016 US Open, still leads Nadal 2927 in career meetings but the scar of defeat will run deep.
The drop shots on the slow
Beaten finalist Novak Djokovic in praise of French Open champion
Rafael Nadal
this great number.
‘‘Today is just a Roland Garros victory and that means everything to me,'' the world No 2 said.
Federer (39), who has been recovering from knee surgery this year, congratulated his friend via Twitter.
Before the match, Djokovic had said Roland Garros was
clay courts served Djokovic well in earlier rounds and he used plenty of them in his opening game yesterday but Nadal ran most of them down. Djokovic struggled with his first serve and was unable to come up with a Plan B as Nadal won the opening set to love.
Nadal showed exemplary athleticism and court coverage to get his racket to Djokovic’s crunching groundstrokes as the bewildered Serbian watched.
In the second set there was no letup in intensity from Nadal, who continued to hit deep returns to keep his opponent pinned to the back of the baseline.
Djokovic got on the board at the start of the second set after saving three break points but Nadal maintained his iron grip by breaking the Serbian's next two service games.
In a highquality third set, Djokovic broke Nadal’s serve for the first time for 33 but dropped serve on a double fault in the 11th game before the lefthander went on to bag his 100th victory in Paris with an ace.
‘‘Today you showed why you are the king of clay. Today was a tough match.
‘‘I was outplayed by a better player today,'' Djokovic said after losing his third final to Nadal at Roland Garros.
‘‘He’s phenomenal. He played a perfect match, especially in the first two sets.’’ — Reuters
❛ Today you showed why you are the king of
clay. Today was a tough match