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Nadal now has 100 victories at Roland Garros after his 999th win on the ATP Tour
Last Updated: 11/10/20 5:43 pm
Rafael Nadal stormed a record 13th French Open title in Paris on Sunday
Rafael Nadal equaled Roger Federer’s all-time record of 20 Grand Slam titles by winning his 13th French Open with a clay court tennis exhibition against long-time rival Novak Djokovic on Sunday.
Nadal caught up with the great Swiss for the first time in his long careers with a majestic 6-0, 6-2, 7-5 victory over world number one Djokovic.
It has been a very tough year, but winning here means everything to me. Today, I don’t think about 20 or equaling Roger in this great number, for me today is just a Roland Garros victory. Roland Garros is everything; I have had most of the most important moments of my tennis career here. Many, many thanks to everyone, the entire organization and the public. Playing here is pure inspiration and the love I have for this city and this field is unforgettable.
Rafael Nadal
Nadal hit 31 winners and made just 14 unforced errors, leaving Djokovic, who hoped to become the first man in the Open era to lift all Grand Slam trophies at least twice, unable to find any answers.
Novak Djokovic vs Rafael Nadal: Match Statistics
| Djokovic | Match statistics | Nadal |
|---|---|---|
| one | Aces | 4 |
| 4 | Double fouls | one |
| fifty% | First serve win percentage | 67% |
| 48% | Second serve win percentage | 66% |
| 1/5 | Break points won | 7/18 |
| 38 | Total winners | 31 |
| 52 | Unforced errors | 14 |
| 18/27 | Net points earned | 17/9 |
| 77/183 | Total points earned | 106/183 |
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Rain in Paris meant the roof closed on Philippe Chatrier court, favoring Djokovic, who once won 38 matches in a row indoors. The Serb was confident in knowing that the only match he had not won this year was when he was suspended at the US Open.
Nadal began the fortnight by claiming that the cool, wet conditions, combined with heavier balls, would make this his French Open more difficult to win. But he had done it lightly on the way to the final, reaching the occasion of the masterpiece in Paris for the sixth time without losing a set.
And the Spaniard continued his impressive breaking form in the first game before sweeping a bagel set with a display of shots against his great rival.
Djokovic was not helped by his serve, he got his first delivery only 42 percent of the time, and he simply had no response to Nadal’s brilliance.
This is the first 6-0 opening set in a French Open final since 2004 when Gaston Gaudio defeated compatriot Guillermo Coria 0-6 3-6 6-4 6-1 8-6.
The only other time that happened in the Open Era was in 1977 when Guillermo Vilas beat Brian Gottfried 6-0 6-3 6-0.
Djokovic failed to add to his 17 Grand Slams tally
In a virtuous display, Nadal had the upper hand knowing he was 111-0 when he won the first set of a best-of-five match on clay.
Djokovic is one of only two men, along with Robin Soderling, to have beaten Nadal on Parisian clay, but the Spaniard was forcing him to work to maintain his own serve.
It took him 55 minutes to do it in the opening game of the second set, saving three break points. But that was as good as things for the first seed, as the Roland Garros king restored control by winning the next five games to secure the 6-2 set, committing just six unforced errors in straight sets, to move to one of a historical landmark.
Djokovic knew he had to play flawless tennis in the third set, and while Nadal’s game had fallen slightly from the heights of the first two sets, the 34-year-old appeared to take control by knocking down a deflated Djokovic in the fifth. I play only for the Serbian to strike back immediately in his 10th return game before unleashing a pure roar of excitement in the process.
A more relentless comeback from Nadal finally opened up a break opportunity in the 11th game, which was handed to him at a plate after a double fault. The Spaniard served the match, clinching an ace, before dropping to his knees on the red earth in celebration.
Rafael Nadal 4 (2008, 2010, 2017, 2020 – French Open)
Bjorn Borg 3 (1976 Wimbledon; 1978, 1980 – French Open)
Roger Federer 2 (Australian Open 2007; 2017 – Wimbledon)
Congratulations to Rafa, your team and your family, what you are doing on this field is incredible. Today you showed why you are the king of clay. Today was a very tough game for me. I’m obviously not that satisfied with the way I played, but they definitely overdid me.
Djokovic praised Nadal
Federer was quick to pay tribute to Nadal, saying on Twitter: “I have always had the utmost respect for my friend Rafa as a person and as a champion. As my biggest rival for many years, I think we have pushed each other to become better players.
“It is therefore a true honor for me to congratulate him on his 20th Grand Slam victory. It is especially surprising that he has now won Roland Garros an incredible 13 times, which is one of the greatest achievements in the sport.
“I also congratulate your team because no one can do this alone. I hope that 20 is just one more step on the continuous path for both of us. Well done Rafa. You deserve it.”
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