In a match that had both players aiming for history, top seed Rafael Nadal got the better of second seed Novak Djokovic of Serbia 3-6, 7-5, 6-2, 6-4 to win his 9th French Open title and to take his career Grand Slam tally to 14, on par with Pete Sampras. (All images AFP)

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In a match that had both players aiming for history, top seed Rafael Nadal got the better of second seed Novak Djokovic of Serbia 3-6, 7-5, 6-2, 6-4 to win his 9th French Open title and to take his career Grand Slam tally to 14, on par with Pete Sampras. (All images AFP)

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Court Philippe Chatrier was ready for a great spectacle! The 2014 French Open men's singles final between the two best tennis players on the planet!

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Both players embraced each other lovingly as they posed for a picture together despite all the talks of a fierce rivalry between them. While Nadal had been triumphant on 22 occasions, Djokovic had won 19 times against his Spanish opponent before this historic final.

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Djokovic started the match well and he was matching up nicely to Nadal's deep top spin forehand returns from the baseline. He won the first set 6-3 after converting a break point in the eighth game to lead 5-3. Only 44 minutes had passed in the match.

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However, as soon as the second set started, fans at Court Philippe Chatrier saw a completely different Rafael Nadal. He was much more bolder in his approach to the game and his spin only got heavier along with the fierce inside-out forehand winners. Djokovic had no answer to this and Nadal won the second set 7-5 after almost an hour.

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Djokovic was now beginning to rue all the opportunities he had been missing. He was looking for his first French Open title and needed the win to complete a career Grand Slam.

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However, Nadal was in no mood to let the competition get out of his stranglehold. He wanted to book a place in the history books forever.

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Nadal won the third set 6-2 after 51 minutes to take a two sets to one lead over Djokovic. He broke Djokovic twice in this set.

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By now, Djokovic looked down and out and he was already losing his balance. The heat at Court Phillipe Chatrier wasn't doing him any favours. The sun was shining bright and clear on Nadal.

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Nadal, however, was wary of the challenge Djokovic could pose. Djokovic had come back from a two set to one deficit only recently in the 2013 US Open final against Stanislas Wawrinka and he was in no mood to give up.

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Djokovic's coach, Boris Becker was looking on with nervousness. He wanted Djokovic to win his first French Open title after he had excruciatingly lost to Nadal last year in the semifinals in a marathon five-setter. Djokovic had also lost to Nadal in the 2012 Roland Garros final.

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Interestingly, Andy Murray's new coach, Amelie Mauresmo was also among the royalty attending the big final in Paris.

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However, despite Djokovic's resurgence, Nadal had his eyes firmly fixed on the Roland Garros trophy. He produced a stellar performance in the fourth set to win 6-4 and wrap up the encounter 3-6, 7-5, 6-2, 6-4 after almost three hours and thirty minutes.

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Djokovic was clearly very dejected at losing out on this big opportunity to win. He was in a state of tears later at the prize distribution ceremony.

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Nadal gave Djokovic a loving hug after it all ended and showed the spirit of a true champion!

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It was Nadal's day once again though. Only once since 2005 had Nadal ever lost in the French Open and that was in 2009, when he lost to Robin Soderling. Today, he was to win the Roland Garros title for the 9th time, which is the most by any man at a single Grand Slam event. Roger Federer is second on that list with seven Wimbledon trophies to his name.

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Nadal's supporters in the crowd were ecstatic and Rafa jumped into the crowd to hug his uncle and coach Toni Nadal and the rest of his team.

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Nadal and Djokovic made for a great trophy pose together.

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And Nadal couldn't stop from getting a bite of the tasty silverware! From legend to immortal!

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Back to French Open 2014 photos

French Open 2014 Photos

French Open: Rafael Nadal Trounces Novak Djokovic to Win Historic 9th Title

In a match that had both players aiming for history, top seed Rafael Nadal got the better of second seed Novak Djokovic of Serbia 3-6, 7-5, 6-2, 6-4 to win his 9th French Open title and to take his career Grand Slam tally to 14, on par with Pete Sampras. (All images AFP)