Nadal regains French Open crown
Rafael Nadal recaptured the French Open crown on Sunday, gaining
revenge over Robin Soderling with a 6-4, 6-2, 6-4 win and, in so doing,
he also retook the world number one spot from Roger Federer.
Nadal was simply too powerful on clay for the Swede who 12 months ago
ended the Spaniard’s 31-match, four titles win streak in Paris in
stunning fashion with a four sets, fourth round triumph.
The win, Nadal’s fifth here since 2005, put him second on the
all-time list of French Open winners, one behind Bjorn Borg whose last
title here came in 1981. He is now 38-1 in matches played at Roland
Garros.
It was also the second time he had won the French Open title without
dropping a set, having first achieved that feat in 2008.
For Soderling it was another cruel finish to the tournament having
defeated top seed and title-holder Roger Federer in the quarter-finals.
Last year he beat top seed and title-holder Nadal, but lost to Federer
in the final.
Paris, AFP |