Congrats to Rafael Nadal - still the King of Clay

The French Open began two weeks ago with doubts about Rafael Nadal being able to repeat and equal Bjorn Borg's record of six titles.  Like a true champion he proved them (me) wrong.  When the tournament began, especially after his first round match against John Isner, he looked as if the loses to Novak Djokovic had taken some wind out of his sails.  Isner is a decent player, but in all honesty, he had no business taking a set off Nadal on clay.

Rafael Nadal (left). Roger Federer (right)

Whatever the issue at the beginning, by the end, Rafa was clear with his mission & how to go about it.  To Roger's credit, this was the best he's ever played Rafa in any of the other three finals they've contested against each other on Court Philippe Chatrier.  Roger seemed to know how to crack the Nadal code, but Rafa just didn't let him have his way.  When Sunday's final started, Roger Federer got out to a quick start, breaking Rafa in his first service game with a Nadal error into the net.  Both had service holds after that until Federer was serving for the first set at 5-3.  Rafa's forehand did wonders for him to get back on serve, two to go up 30 love, then another down the line at 30-40 to get back on serve.  Rafa breaks Federer's next service game as well, then holds his on serve to take the first set 7-5.

Rafa went on a seven game streak (beginning w/Roger serving at 5-3 in the first set) before Roger was able to hold his own serve.  Then with Rafa serving at 4-3, Roger breaks to level the second set 4 all.  Rafa immediately breaks back, then after a brief ran delay, Federer breaks again to get back on serve - 5 all.  Both guys hold their serves to take the second set to a tiebreak, which Rafa wins 7-3.  Two sets to love for Nadal.

Roger celebrates after winning the third set

Third set, Rafa breaks Roger's serve on his third service game, then...Roger breaks back.  Roger breaks again later in the set to go ahead 6-5, then serves it out to take the set 7-5.  

Rafael Nadal - game, match, set

When the fourth set began, it was clear Rafa had enough of Roger's shenanigans - Rafa has never lost in the finals at the French Open, and he was not about to let it happen today.  Serving at 1-2, Roger's serve disappoints him, then he hits a double fault to give Rafa three break points.  He only needed one.  Roger wouldn't win another game for the duration of the match, and we were witness to a scene that's played out on this court five times before - Rafa rolling in the red dirt in celebration.  7-5, 7-6(3), 5-7, 6-1, Rafael Nadal, six time Roland Garros champion.  Of all the years he's played the tournament, seven total, he's only lost one of them, that was in part to a bum knee and a guy named Robin Soderling.  

Rafael Nadal remains the King of Clay.  Big ups to Rafa.