The sun set on Roland Garros tonight, with Rafael Nadal storming to his 5th French Open title. The victory regains Rafael to the world number one, overtaking Federer and again showing to the world, that he really is one of the best tennis players ever to grace the clay in Paris.
Robin Soderling was not just there to make up the numbers today, after having a terrific tournament in Paris, knocking out Federer on the way. Soderling was of course a finalist at Roland Garros last summer, losing out to Federer on the occasion, and who knows maybe summer 2011 he will finally reach his crown in Paris.
It is intersting as going in to the final today, Soderling was the only man to beat Nadal in Paris, but today Nadal proved to be his nemesis, like Federer was last year, but take nothing away from Robin, he really does excel on the clay and although Nadal brushed him away in straight sets today, he can go into Wimbledon full on confidence and knowing that he is in terrific form.
Nadal eased to a straight sets victory today, in what was a convincing 6-4, 6-2, 6-4 clean sweep for Nadal, in what took just two hours and eighteen minutes. Nadal picking up what is his 7th grand slam total, managed to see off eight break points served up by Soderling, to keep control of the match and his dominance of Roland Garros.
Nadal will be officially named as world number one on Monday, and will go into Wimbledon looking for ways to emulate Federer, a feat that even Nadal will struggle with.
I must say that the past two weeks in Paris have been fantastic, with shocks galore coming from the courts. Venus Williams exited early and former winner Ivanovic failed to bring the scintillating form that won her silver here just a few seasons ago.
I think Andy Murray will have taken a lot from this tournament and knowing the clay is probably his least favourite surface, Murray did well to overcome Gasquet in a 5 set thriller in just round one and regained dominance against Chela, but Andy lost his footing in a surprise straight sets defeat to Berdych, but Murray will come out to defend his title at Queens tomorrow, in what will hopefully be good preparation for Wimbledon in just a few weeks.
I will be following Andy Murray as he does defend his honour in London this week, and really hope that he can find his feet on the grass, but just want to add that it is one thing that Nadal has dominated this event for the past five years, but what I think is a terrific feat was Nadal took the honours today without dropping a set, not only in the final but in the whole tournament, which he also did in 2008 - and I don't think anyone would disagree with Nadal being named, the king of clay and the unstoppable in Paris.
Bring on Queens!
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