Nadal makes history, wins 8th French Open
Source: Agencies |
June 10, 2013, Monday
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Print Edition
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RAFAEL Nadal defied David Ferrer as well as a worrying security breach to become the first man to capture the same grand slam title eight times yesterday with victory in the French Open final.
Nadal claimed his 12th major with a 6-3, 6-2, 6-3 win over his Spanish compatriot who was playing in his first grand slam final at the age of 31 and at the 42nd time of asking.
It also gave Nadal his 59th win out of 60 matches played at Roland Garros in Paris.
With his 12th grand slam title, Nadal moved into a tie for third place with Roy Emerson behind Roger Federer's 17 and Pete Sampras' 14.
However, the 27-year-old's push for victory suffered a heart-stopping moment when a protester, naked from the waist up, leapt from the stands on Court Philippe Chatrier, carrying a flare and protesting France's controversial same-sex marriage law.
The protester, who was wrestled away by security staff, came within just a few feet of the Spaniard as he prepared to serve at 5-1 in the second set.
A burly security official immediately came to Nadal's aid in front of the VIP box where Olympic sprint champion Usain Bolt and Hollywood superstar Leonardo DiCaprio were watching. Other protesters also brandishing red flares climbed to the top of nearby Court Suzanne Lenglen and unfurled a banner calling for the resignation of French President Francois Hollande.
The drama, however, didn't alter the outcome as Nadal claimed his seventh title of 2013 after returning to the tour in February following a seven-month injury layoff.
"Thanks to everyone in my family and team. Without their support, especially when I was out of action, this would have been impossible," said Nadal.
"Thanks also to everyone who sent me messages on Twitter and Facebook. They all gave me positive energy for today."
Ferrer had raced through the first game to love, but it was the champion who broke first for 2-1 when his compatriot unleashed a wild forehand.
Ferrer, showing all the attributes which gave him the nickname of "bloodhound", was level in the next game at 2-2 and with both sluggers evenly matched, it was going to take something out of the top drawer to settle the opening set.
Nadal produced it right on cue, flashing a superbly controlled, sliding backhand on the move, from 10 meters behind the baseline, past the advancing Ferrer.
Nadal backed it up in the ninth game when a double fault from Ferrer handed him a set point which translated into the a first-set advantage when the veteran dumped a weak backhand into the net.
Ferrer hadn't dropped a set in the tournament and had spent six hours fewer on court getting to his maiden final.
But he was in serious trouble and he knew it, suddenly confronted by Nadal's record of 145 wins against just three losses when he had won the first set of a grand slam match.
Nadal claimed his 12th major with a 6-3, 6-2, 6-3 win over his Spanish compatriot who was playing in his first grand slam final at the age of 31 and at the 42nd time of asking.
It also gave Nadal his 59th win out of 60 matches played at Roland Garros in Paris.
With his 12th grand slam title, Nadal moved into a tie for third place with Roy Emerson behind Roger Federer's 17 and Pete Sampras' 14.
However, the 27-year-old's push for victory suffered a heart-stopping moment when a protester, naked from the waist up, leapt from the stands on Court Philippe Chatrier, carrying a flare and protesting France's controversial same-sex marriage law.
The protester, who was wrestled away by security staff, came within just a few feet of the Spaniard as he prepared to serve at 5-1 in the second set.
A burly security official immediately came to Nadal's aid in front of the VIP box where Olympic sprint champion Usain Bolt and Hollywood superstar Leonardo DiCaprio were watching. Other protesters also brandishing red flares climbed to the top of nearby Court Suzanne Lenglen and unfurled a banner calling for the resignation of French President Francois Hollande.
The drama, however, didn't alter the outcome as Nadal claimed his seventh title of 2013 after returning to the tour in February following a seven-month injury layoff.
"Thanks to everyone in my family and team. Without their support, especially when I was out of action, this would have been impossible," said Nadal.
"Thanks also to everyone who sent me messages on Twitter and Facebook. They all gave me positive energy for today."
Ferrer had raced through the first game to love, but it was the champion who broke first for 2-1 when his compatriot unleashed a wild forehand.
Ferrer, showing all the attributes which gave him the nickname of "bloodhound", was level in the next game at 2-2 and with both sluggers evenly matched, it was going to take something out of the top drawer to settle the opening set.
Nadal produced it right on cue, flashing a superbly controlled, sliding backhand on the move, from 10 meters behind the baseline, past the advancing Ferrer.
Nadal backed it up in the ninth game when a double fault from Ferrer handed him a set point which translated into the a first-set advantage when the veteran dumped a weak backhand into the net.
Ferrer hadn't dropped a set in the tournament and had spent six hours fewer on court getting to his maiden final.
But he was in serious trouble and he knew it, suddenly confronted by Nadal's record of 145 wins against just three losses when he had won the first set of a grand slam match.
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