French Open 2013 News

Eight-time French Open champion Rafael Nadal said in an interview published on Tuesday that he is not setting his sights on Roger Federer's record of 17 Grand Slam titles, despite claiming his 12th at Roland Garros last weekend.

Nadal only retained the ranking points he earned by winning last year's French Open, while Ferrer gained points by reaching his first Grand Slam final.

Rafael Nadal smiled back from the front pages of Spanish newspapers on Monday, after he lifted his record eighth French Open title with a 6-3, 6-2, 6-3 win over compatriot David Ferrer.

Rafael Nadal's stirring comeback from a career-threatening knee injury was crowned at the French Open on Sunday when he won the Roland Garros title for a record eighth time to move into joint third place in the all-time list of Grand Slam winners on 12.

Rain and unseasonally cold temperatures in the French capital were the last thing the 31-year-old Spaniard wanted to see for his first Grand Slam final in what was his 42nd attempt.

It was a first Grand Slam title for the Russian pair and it was the first time they had beaten the Italians in five attempts, their last encounter being a semi-final loss at the Australian Open in January.

The incident took place just in front of the VIP box on Court Philippe Chatrier where Olympic sprint champion Usain Bolt and Hollywood superstar Leonardo DiCaprio were sitting.

Nadal claimed his 12th major with a 6-3, 6-2, 6-3 win over his Spanish compatriot David Ferrer who was playing in his first Grand Slam final at the age of 31 and at the 42nd time of asking.

Rafael Nadal may have had a huge advantage over very good friend and compatriot David Ferrer up till now but the Spaniard will know that his fellow country-man has all the ingredients and qualities to overcome all that and clinch the 2013 French Open men's singles title.

He has won 58 out of 59 matches at Roland Garros and boasts a 19-4 winning record over Ferrer. Sixteen of those wins have been on clay. The 31-year-old Ferrer has won just one of their claycourt encounters and that was their first career meeting in 2004 when Nadal was just 16.

Nadal will take a 19-4 career record over Ferrer into the final with 16 of those wins coming on clay. Ferrer's only win over Nadal on the surface was back in 2004 at Stuttgart, the pair's first meeting when the seven-time French Open champion was just 16.

The Bryans still remember from a decade ago when they could afford to stay in Paris in what was practically only a hole in a wall. When they won the Australian Open this year, they broke a tie for most doubles majors with Australian greats John Newcombe and Tony Roche.

Twelve months ago, Williams suffered her worst defeat at a Grand Slam when she was knocked out of the first round in Paris. But, one year on, the 31-year-old has become the oldest women's champion at the French Open in the Open era, having also captured the Wimbledon and US Open crowns.

Her French coach Patrick Mouratoglou described her efforts as those of an "immense champion" and that last year's shattering loss had created a new-look Serena Williams.

Sharapova started the match a clear underdog against a player who had run up a career-best 30 match win streak and who had been playing some of the finest tennis seen in the women's game in years.

The evidence suggests that as long as she remains fit and motivated into her third decade on the tour, the likes of Sharapova and world number three Victoria Azarenka, the only two who can match the American for power, will continue to have their work cut out.

The seven-time French Open champion Nadal says he is focussed on the final against countryman David Ferrer and he will not be best prepared for the Halle ATP.

Serena Williams won her second French Open title when she beat defending champion Maria Sharapova 6-4, 6-4 in Saturday's final.