French Open: Rafael Nadal wins the title, the monarch of clay court revives

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Rafael Nadal with his 10th French open title. Image Source: twitter

Internet Desk: Rafael Nadal made history by winning a record La Decima of French Open titles by steamrolling Switzerland’s Stanislas “Stan” Wawarinka in straight sets, which also earned him a 15th Grand slam crown on Sunday.

The 31-year old Spaniard eased to victory, earning a 6-2, 6-3, 6-1 to become the first man in history to win the same major 10 times.

Only Roger Federer, with 18 to his name, has now won more slams than Nadal. This suprising figure comes only a year after he quit Roland Garros with a wrist injury.

Nadal won in Paris without dropping a set for a third time, while playing in his 22nd Grand Slam final.

He has lost 35 games so far and only six in the final. This has been his greatest victory since Roger Federer had got the better of him in four games in 2008.

“It’s really incredible. To win La Decima is very, very special,” said Nadal.

“I am very emotional. The feeling I have is impossible to describe.

“It’s difficult to compare with other tournaments but the nerves and adrenaline I feel, it’s like no other place.”

Nadal was joined on the presentation by his uncle Toni, his coach since boyhood, who is stepping down at the end of the year.

“Without my uncle I would not have won 10 trophies,” said Nadal who will rise to two in the world rankingson Monday.

“For me to be here for many years is difficult to describe. I come back and see people I have a good relationship with and it’s very special.

“It’s difficult for me to compare this to any other event. You are always going to be in my heart.”

Wawrinka, bidding for a fourth Grand Slam title, hailed Nadal as an opponent and sportsman.

“Rafa, I have nothing to say — you were too good,” said third seed Wawrinka.

“You are a great example and it’s always been an honour to play against you.”

Once Hollywood A-lister Nicole Kidman hadhelped unbox the Coupe des Mousquetaires to a crowd already wilting in 30-degree heat, the final was underway.

It was the 22nd Slam finale for Nadal; just the fourth for Wawrinka, the oldest man in the championship match in 44 years.

Sunday was also the first time since 1969 that the Roland Garros final had featured two men over 30.

Despite having spent more than five hours on court getting to the final, 2015 champion Wawrinka had the first break point in the third game.

The 32-year-old couldn’t take it and it proved to be the only break point he earned all afternoon.

From there, it was all downhill.

Nadal was unable to convert four break points in the fourth game.

No matter as he broke through for 4-2 and then went to set point in the eighth game after a relentless forehand barrage sapped the will out of Wawrinka.

A backhand which sailed long gave Nadal the first set with the Spaniard having crunched 10 winners to Wawrinka’s four while committing half the unforced errors.

Nadal forced Wawrinka into another forehand error to break for 2-0 in the second set before the Swiss halted a run of seven games lost with a hold for 1-3.

But the song remained the same, Nadal taking the set in the ninth game, just moments after Wawrinka, who knocked out world number one Andy Murray in the semis, had destroyed a racquet in utter frustration.

First game of the third set and Nadal broke again as the man who stunned him in the 2014 Australian Open final suffered further damage.

Nadal was soon a double break to the good for 4-1, held for 5-1 and then claimed a huge slice of history when Wawrinka limply dropped a backhand into the net.