Nadal defeats Djokovic for fifth straight French Open title
Rafael Nadal continued his reign at Roland Garros in the French Open men's final yesterday as the King of Clay defeated Novak Djokovic, 3-6, 7-5, 6-2, 6-4. The win marks five straight French Open championships for Nadal and a record ninth overall.
The No. 1-seeded Spaniard dropped the first set but would outlast Djokovic, breaking the Serbian in the final game of the last three sets to cruise to victory.
"Sorry for him today," said Nadal. "I think he deserves to win this tournament. I am sure he will do it in the future."
But as long as that future includes Nadal, Djokovic and others will have the odds stacked against them on the Paris clay, as evidence of the last decade. Nadal has won 66 of 67 French Open matches, losing only to Robin Soderling in the fourth round in 2009.
"For me," Nadal said, "playing here in Roland Garros is just unforgettable, forever."
Nadal now has 14 Grand Slam titles, tying him with Pete Sampras for second on the all-time list behind only Roger Federer, who has 17.
Out East with Doug Geed: Wine harvests, a fish market, baked treats and poinsettias NewsdayTV's Doug Geed visits two wineries and a fish market, and then it's time for holiday cheer, with a visit to a bakery and poinsettia greenhouses.
Out East with Doug Geed: Wine harvests, a fish market, baked treats and poinsettias NewsdayTV's Doug Geed visits two wineries and a fish market, and then it's time for holiday cheer, with a visit to a bakery and poinsettia greenhouses.
