Paris: Rafael Nadal was at his awe-inspiring best as he crushed Austrian Dominic Thiem to snatch a record-extending 11th (called ‘once’ in Spanish) French Open title with a 6-4, 6-3, 6-2 victory here Sunday.
The Spanish World No.1 took his Roland Garros win-loss record to 86-2 as he captured his 17th Grand Slam title by demolishing the seventh seed, who was hoping to become the second Austrian to win at Roland Garros.
In 11 finals in Paris, Nadal has only lost six sets as he matched the all-time record of most singles titles won at the same Grand Slam event set by Margaret Court at the Australian Open during the 1960s and 70s. Sunday’s result marks the sixth consecutive Grand Slam won by either Nadal or 20-times major champion Roger Federer.
The Spaniard had won all 10 of his previous Roland Garros finals and although Thiem was the only man to have beaten him on clay over the past two seasons, the Austrian never threatened the claycourt master.
Nadal got off to a dream start, pocketing the first six points of the match as he broke Thiem in the second game to open up a 2-0 lead. Thiem broke back immediately as he continued to go for his shots, and he saw off a break point to hold for 2-2. Nadal turned the screw in the 10th game and Thiem seemed to grow nervous, sending a forehand long to hand his opponent the opening set. The signs were already ominous for Thiem.
The top seed went 2-0 ahead in the second. Thiem threatened with a break point in the seventh game, but Nadal broke his pace and finished it off with a passing shot, holding for 5-2. He bagged the second set when Thiem sent a backhand long. Thiem dropped serve in the third and Nadal held for 3-1 after taking a time out because of a sore hand. Nadal had another massage at 5-2 and he ended Thiem’s ordeal on his fifth match point.
Statfacts
- Grand Slam titles (17): Australian Open (2009); French Open (2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2017, 2018); Wimbledon (2008, 2010); US Open (2010, 2013, 2017)
- Nadal won his 17th Grand Slam title in his 24th major final and is three titles away from the men’s record held by his great rival Roger Federer
- Sunday victory gave Nadal his 11th crown at Roland Garros from 11 finals.
