Rafael Nadal (ATP 5) did it! The Spaniard won his 14th title at Roland-Garros 2 days after his 36th birthday, the 22nd in a Grand Slam, easily beating Casper Ruud (ATP 8) 6-3, 6-3 6-0 in the final. He now has 2 more important titles on his list than Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic.
This 14th Paris coronation is almost unreal. On the one hand, the left of Manacor has had to settle for minimal preparation on clay. Victim of a rib fracture in Indian Wells in March, he had indeed suffered a chronic left foot injury in mid-May in Rome, where he was simply playing his second tournament of the season in ocher.
On the other hand, his 14th victory at Porte d’Auteuil makes the mark of former world number 1 Pete Sampras almost anachronistic. The American, a record of important titles until 2009, had won 14 in total! The feat goes beyond comprehension.
Ruud had no weapons
Well, of course, Rafael Nadal is like a fish in water at Roland-Garros. A lifelong favorite in a tournament in which he has won 112 of the 115 matches he has played, he faces it with confidence anyway, even with little preparation. But his resilience and resilience call for respect.
Impressive in the quarterfinals against world number 1 Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal was far from performing at his best against both Alexander Zverev and Casper Ruud, who paid dearly for his lack of relaxation. But he knew how to do violence to himself.
Rafael Nadal has not stopped to win his 14th title at Roland-Garros. [Michel Euler – AP]
Also nervous at the start of this final, Rafael Nadal seldom thrilled the audience with brilliant shots. Only Casper Ruud did not have the weapons to really hinder his idol. Limited by his setback, the Norwegian has committed too many fouls to expect better.
ats / btro
Also read: Rafael Nadal “will continue to fight”
A late break on the 2nd set
Casper Ruud had his chance, however, in a second set that Rafael Nadal timidly started. Thus, the double winner of the Geneva Open logically led the service 3-1. But he could not confirm this break. Worse, he conceded his next 3 service games to offer the 2nd set to his opponent. With 2 sets ahead, Rafael Nadal saw it coming. More serene, the Mallorcan quickly took refuge in the 3rd round signing a 1st break of the 2nd game thanks to a finally strong right. Therefore, he flew to victory, acquired after 2h18 ‘of play with a winning setback.
Garcia and Mladenovic win the doubles
Frenchmen Caroline Garcia and Kristina Mladenovic won the Roland-Garros doubles tournament for the second time after 2016, against Americans Coco Gauff, already a finalist the day before in singles, and Jessica Pegula, 2-6, 6-3, 6-2. . Garcia and Mladenovic, who have not played doubles together on the circuit since 2017, reformed their 2019 Fed Cup winning pair earlier this year for the Australian Open (eliminated in the 2nd round).
ATP Stuttgart: Stricker passes the standings
Dominic Stricker (ATP 199) is definitely on the Stuttgart pitch. Last year, the quarter-finalist, the 19-year-old Bernese managed to get out of the standings this time. The Roland-Garros 2020 junior champion won 6-4, 6-3 ahead of German Mats Moraing (ATP 116) in the second and final qualifying round. Dominic Stricker will face American Maxime Cressy (ATP 62) in the first round of the main draw. If he wins against the 8th finalist of the last Australian Open, he will find world number 4 Stefanos Tsitsipas in the 2nd round.