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AFTER EIGHT: Spain’s Rafael Nadal holds the trophy with seven inscriptions of his name after winning the French Open for the eighth time, defeating compatriot David Ferrer in three sets 6-3, 6-2, 6-3, in the final on Sunday. (Photo: Christophe Ena/The Associated Press)
(Source: sports.nationalpost.com)
Rafael Nadal became the first man to win eight titles at the same Grand Slam tournament when he beat fellow Spaniard David Ferrer in the French Open final Sunday, 6-3, 6-2, 6-3.
Nadal broke the men’s record for match wins at Roland Garros, where he improved to 59-1, with his lone defeat against Robin Soderling in the fourth round in 2009. (Photo by Patrick Kovarik/AFP/Getty Images)
It took five thrilling sets for Rafael Nadal to defeat Novak Djokovic at the French Open on Friday — and that was just the semi-final. Nadal will defend his title at Roland Garros after beating the 26-year-old from Serbia 6-4, 3-6, 6-1, 6-7 (3-7), 9-7.
Nadal is on the verge of becoming the first man to win eight titles at the same Grand Slam event.
“I really am playing better here,” he said on Thursday. “I said I needed to make a change. I was confident that I can do it, and I did.” (Photo: THOMAS COEX/AFP/Getty Images)
It’s Rafael Nadal’s birthday today, so he received this fancy birthday cake at the French Open on Monday. Don’t eat it all yourself, Rafa. (Photo: MARTIN BUREAU/AFP/Getty Images)
Tommy Robredo of Spain is specializing in comebacks: He is the first man in 86 years to win three Grand Slam matches in a row after dropping the first two sets (France’s Henri Cochet pulled that off at Wimbledon in 1927).
Robredo did it in the second round of the French Open Wednesday. He did it in the third round Friday. And then he did it in the fourth round Sunday, defeating No. 11 Nicolas Almagro 6-7 (5), 3-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4. Robredo trailed 4-1 in the third set, 4-2 in the fourth and 2-0 in the fifth.
“Nobody dreams of doing such things,” said Robredo, who dropped to his knees, leaned forward and wept after winning. (Photos: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images, Michel Spingler/The Associated Press)
It’s raining at the French Open again. THE BAD NEWS: Maria Sharapova’s match has been postponed until tomorrow because of the weather. THE GOOD NEWS: This photo could be an ad for French Open umbrellas. (Photo: THOMAS COEX/AFP/Getty Images)
Serena Williams won her opening match at the French Open, and then achieved a career breakthrough by speaking French to the crowd for the first time.
“I’m a beginner,” Williams said — referring to her French, not tennis.
Her play spoke volumes Sunday. Williams returned to the red clay that tripped her up in the first round a year ago, channeled any lingering frustration into her overpowering strokes and drubbed Anna Tatishvili 6-0, 6-1. (Photo by Petr David Josek/The Associated Press)
Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal will renew their rivalry in the Italian Open final Sunday — exactly a week before the French Open starts.
In Saturday’s semi-finals at the Foro Italico, Federer held off a stiff challenge from rising Frenchman Benoit Paire 7-6 (5), 6-4, and six-time Rome champion Nadal defeated sixth-seeded Tomas Berdych 6-2, 6-4 — a day after Berdych rallied to beat top-ranked Novak Djokovic.
It will mark Nadal’s eighth consecutive final since his return earlier this year from a seven-month layoff due to a left knee injury. As for Federer, who recently returned from a seven-week break from the circuit, it will be his first final of the year. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
Six-time champion Rafael Nadal overcame one of the worst opening sets of his career to edge Latvian qualifier Ernests Gulbis (pictured) 1-6, 7-5, 6-4 Thursday and reach the Italian Open quarter-finals.
Nadal’s performance, and sometimes sluggish movement on the court, raised questions about whether he will be able to successfully defend his title at the French Open. The year’s second Grand Slam starts in 10 days.
Nadal will next face fourth-seeded David Ferrer, who advanced when Philipp Kohlschreiber of Germany withdrew because of dizziness. (Photo: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
So this is ONE way to celebrate …Polish player Jerzy Janowicz rips off his shirt as he celebrates after winning against French player Jo-Wilfried Tsonga at the end of their ATP Rome Open tennis tournament. (Photo: TIZIANA FABI/AFP/Getty Images)
(Source: nationalpost.com)
