French Open 2012 Photos

Rafael Nadal still the king at French Open

June 11, 2012 17:45

It was Rafael Nadal who made history at Roland Garros on Monday. Starting from the overnight score of 6-4, 6-3, 2-6, 1-2 Nadal won the fourth set 7-5 to defeat Novak Djokovic and claim a record seventh French Open title.

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It was Rafael Nadal who made history at Roland Garros on Monday. Starting from the overnight score of 6-4, 6-3, 2-6, 1-2, Nadal won the fourth set 7-5 to defeat Novak Djokovic and claim a record seventh French Open title. (All AFP and AP Images)
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The match ended on Djokovic's double-fault, an awkward conclusion to a final that had plenty of stops and starts due to rain.
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Nadal fell to his knees and buried his head in his hands, then clambered into the stands to hug his family after the win.
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Rafa denied Djokovic in his own run at history — the quest for the "Novak Slam." The Serb was trying to become the first man since Rod Laver, 43 years ago, to win four straight major titles.
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With the win, Nadal broke the record of six French Open trophies that he shared with Bjorn Borg, improved to 52-1 at Roland Garros and beat the man who had defeated him in the last three Grand Slam finals.
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Nadal won his 11th overall Grand Slam title, tying him with Borg and Laver for fourth among the all-time leaders.
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Spanish Princess Elena, in red coat, the eldest daughter of Spain's King Juan Carlos attends the men's final match of Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic.
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The final between Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic was called for the day because of rain on Sunday with Nadal clinging to a 6-4, 6-3, 2-6, 1-2 lead.
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However, it was Djokovic who had the momentum when play was stopped due to rain for the second time.
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Djokovic reeled off eight games in succession to take the third set and lead 2-0 in the fourth. Nadal had stopped the rot for 2-1 before play was suspended.
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In a record fourth successive Grand Slam final between the two, and following their almost six-hour epic in Australia, Nadal swept into a two-set lead with Djokovic undone by 30 unforced errors.
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A frustrated Djokovic also earned a warning for smashing his raquet into his courtside chair box which left a gaping hole in the front.
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Djokovic looked helpless over the first two sets, during which he repeatedly gestured up to his guest box, seemingly looking for answers.
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The first game of the fourth set featured a gruelling 44-shot rally.
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The two players consistently exchanged long rallies and break of serves.
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Spanish world number two Nadal, playing in his 16th Grand Slam final and seeking an 11th major, went into Sunday's final with a staggering record of 51 wins against just one loss at Roland Garros.
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Djokovic, the Wimbledon, US Open and Australian Open champion, is looking to emulate Don Budge (1938) and Rod Laver (1962 and 1969) by holding four majors at the same time.
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The last time a French Open men's final failed to be completed on a Sunday was 1973 when it was played on the following Tuesday with Ilie Nastase beating Niki Pilic.
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Three times French Open champion Gustavo Kuerten, of Brazil, and his wife Mariana, left, hold their daughter Maria Augusta before the men's final match.
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Nadal's mother Ana Maria Parera (L), sister Maria Isabel Nadal (C) and girlfriend Maria Francisca Perello, Xisca, (R) watch the final.

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