Nadal lifts his trophy

Rafael Nadal became the 1st tennis player to win the same Grand Slam title 12 times, 1 better of Americas Margeret Court, when he swept aside Austrian, Dominic Thiem 6-3, 5-7, 6-1, 6-1 in just over 3 hours on Sunday afternoon. Nadal was in business, as usual, taking the 1st set, but Thiem who has never taken a Grand Slam set over Nadal, broke the hoodoo to take the 2nd set. However, in his response, the king of clay stormed through the next 2 sets to claim his 18th Grand Slam total, 2-titles shy of Roger Federer's 20.

Going into the final, Nadal led Thiem 8-4 on head-to-head series, however, all 4 Thiem's victories had come from clay surface; 6-4, 4-6, 7-6(7-4) at 2016 Buenos Aires, 2017 6-4, 6-3 Rome Masters win, 2018 Madrid Masters' 7-5, 6-3 win and last April's 6-4, 6-4 triumph at Barcelona. Thiem had, however, lost all 3 previous meetings against Nadal at Roland Garros in straight sets, and was once again taken to the cleaners by Nadal.

NADAL, THIEM RESPECTIVE SEMIFINAL VICTORIES;

The King of Clay got his record-extending 12th title aim in pole position with a crushing dispatched of great rival, Roger Federer. Nadal was in fine form in a straight set 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 under a stormy weather condition at the Court Philippe-Chatrier. It was the 39th Nadal-Federer clash, with Nadal now claimed 24 wins over Federer's 15 wins. The straight set Nadal victory didn't portray the fight put on by Federer, it was one of his best display against Nadal on clay, matching the Spaniard ace for ace(3-3), 61% 1st serve win percentage, just better by Nadal's 69%, however, Federer was largely let down by unforced errors, 34 of them against Nadal's 19. Federer has now lost 6 French Open meetings that include 4 finals against Nadal, 14 in total on clay surface, won just 2.


4th seeds, Dominic Thiem held his nerves to upstage world number 1 and number 1 seed, Novak Djokovic, in a breathtaking, rain interrupted, 2nd semifinal that lasted 2 days, totalling 4 hours and 19 minutes. Thiem won the 5 sets thriller by 6-2, 3-6, 7-5, 5-7, 7-5 to reach the French Open final in the 2nd successive year, where he set up the clash with Nadal in a repeat of last year final, which Nadal emerged victorious in 3 straight sets. Djokovic was aiming to become only the 2nd man after Rod Laver to win all 4 Grand Slam simultaneously twice, but that dream was scuppered by an equally ambitious Austrian whom many believe to have secured a Grand Slam title at 25 years old( Nadal, Djokovic and Federer secured their 1st Grand Slam title at the age of 19, 21 and 22 respectively). A dramatic see-saw contest saw both men took a set each before play was suspended due to rain for the 2nd time with Thiem leading the set(3rd) 3-1. The Austrian managed to hold off a Djokovic fight-back after play resumption to win 7-5. Nevertheless, the momentum had shifted unto Djokovic's favour has the Serb took the 4th set 7-5 to force a deciding 5th set. Advantage Thiem, as he raced into 4-1 in the 5th set, but play was suspended for the often time due to downpour, however, Thiem would not be denied a place in Sunday's final as he wrapped up the set 7-5, to win 3 sets to Djokovic's 2.


Dominic Thiem can take solace in the fact that age is no longer on Nadal's side, sooner or later, if he continues to play at this level, he will surely take over the mantle from the king of clay, as he is widely seen as the successor to Nadal, but for now, he can either wait out Nadal's reign or be the man to end it.

Thank you all ladies and gentlemen for your time.