Rafael Nadal Wins French Open Title for 8th Time

                  It was another day in the office for Rafael Nadal in French Open and the same old story continues. He was playing for French open title winning which will make him the only player in world to win French Open for 8 times. It was jam packed stadium in anticipation that they are going to see either Nadal making a record or there will be a new French open champion after long time. Rafael Nadal defeated  world number 1 Novak Djokovick in semi final match, while his opponent Ferrer broke the heart of French supporters by defeating Frenchman J.W. Tsonga in straight sets to get into finals. David Ferrer was in the first grand slam final of his career on clay court that too against the arguably the best player of clay court ever. Rafael Nadal was defending his title while fellow Spaniard who  trying to win his first grand slam. Nadal had already defeated the Ferrer 19 times in their 23 meetings so Rafael Nadal started as the favorite for French open title. 

Nadal Receiving French Open 2013 from Usain Bolt

First Set

                Nadal who has already won 11 grand slam titles in his glorious career was eyeing 12^th for his kitty. As the game started with service from D Ferrer, he looked in good shape and determined and quickly the score was tied at 3-3. Till the score of 3-3 it was neck to neck fight between both the players. But in very next game Nadal broke the service of Ferrer amidst the interruption from slight drizzle and score became 4-3. Nadal quickly got a lead of 5-3 and wrapped up first set with score of 6-3. Ferrer was not looking in the same rhythm which he displayed during the tournament.

Second Set

                 In 2^nd set of match Ferrer looked completely out of touch and he was trailing to Nadal with  score 3-0 in favour of Nadal. At this point it looked like as Nadal is is in hurry finished the things quickly and grab the title. On clay court and that too in french open you can't expect any kind of mercy from him as he has 58-1 win-loss record. But when you are in hurry, you are prone to make mistakes and service of Nadal was broken by Ferrer and score became 3-1. As we say clay court is Nadal’s territory he recovered quickly and got a lead with the score line of 5-1 and finished the set with 6-2. So, Nadal was already two set up against his fellow countrymen and a set away from 8th french open title.

Third Set

                   3^rd set of match started in pretty much same fashion as of the 2^nd set and Nadal quickly got a lead of 2-0. But Ferrer played some really good tennis and score turned into 2-2 and quickly 3-3. It looked like as if it is going to be a real game in the final and some turnaround is possible in favor of the David Ferrer. But Nadal recovered quickly again, while Ferrer continued with his mistakes like in earlier two sets and finally lost the set with same score of 6-3. With this Nadal not only won the match 6-3, 6-2, 6-3 but also the French open title for record 8^th time.  The contest which was expected to be a close and tight encounter ends up only as a one sided affair.

King of Clay

              With 20^th win over David Ferrer, Nadal won his 12^th grand slam and also the French open title for record 8^th time. He has amazing record at the french open where he has won 59 matches out of 60 matches he has played losing a single match in which was injured against Robin Soderling.  He is the first and only man to win a single grand slam for 8 or more times. He is followed by the great Roger Federer and Pete Sampras, both of them won the Wimbledon for 7 time. 

            With this title Nadal moved to 3^rd position jointly with Roy Emerson having 12 Grand slams each just two behind of the Pete Sampras and five behind of Swiss great Roger Federer. It was already predicted by me that Rafael Nadal is strongest contender for French open championship. The results shows again that he is the undisputed "King of Clay".

               Rafael Nadal appreciated David Ferrer's effort referring him as the “fighter”. Nadal received his 8^th French open title from the Jamaican Sprinter Usain Bolt who was there for the entire match in VIP box along with Hollywood actor Leonardo De Caprio.

Serena Wins French Open 2nd Time

                  Serena Williams proved once again why she is called the powerhouse. It was the French open women’s final on Saturday in front of the packed stadium. It was predicted by me in earlier article that Serena Williams is going as the favorite for French Open 2013. Again her opponent was the M Sharapova whom she has already defeated in their last 13 encounters. So, it was pretty much expected Serena Williams to win the French open for the 2^nd time. Last she won the French open way back in 2002 and last year was exited in the first round of the tournament.

Serena Williams with her 2nd French Open Title

                Serena who already won couple of finals earlier against the same opponent started as favorite and came out as a winner too. She won this match quite comprehensively in straight sets and also her 2nd French open and 16^th Grand slam overall. The domination is not clearly visible through the score card but Sharapova had no response to the powerful services, backhand strokes of the Serena Williams except in first set, when she was leading with score 2-0. But,  Serena quickly turned the table and won first set 6-3 and also following set with 6-4. Serena won this encounter with the score of 6-3 and 6-4. 

Men’s Double :-

               The doubles title for men of French  Open 2013 went to the Bryan Brothers.  Bryan Brothers defeated the team of Nicolas Mahut and Michael Llodra to win 14^th grand slam title together with  score 6-4, 4-6,7-6. Last time the Bryan brothers lost to the same opponents in final of French Open 2012.

Bryan Brothers with Man's Double French Open Title

Women’s Double:-

                 The doubles title of the French open went to the Elena Vesnina and Ekaterina Makarova who defeated defending champions Sara Errani and Roberta Vinci with score line of 7-5, 6-2.

Vesnina and Makarova with Women's Double French Open Title