Nadal Defeats Ferrer for His Eighth French Open Title

June 10, 2013 | By Long Island Tennis Magazine Staff
Rafael_Nadal_04
Photo credit: Kenneth B. Goldberg

A year ago, Rafael Nadal surpassed Bjorn Borg for the most titles at Roland Garros, and on Sunday, Nadal became the first man to win the same major tournament eight times after defeating fellow Spaniard David Ferrer 6-3, 6-2, 6-3. In triumphing, Nadal broke a tie with six other players for the most titles at a single Grand Slam event, and in the process, captured his 12th major trophy, moving into a third place tie with Roy Emerson on the all-time list.

Following a seven-month layoff, Nadal returned to the ATP Tour in February from a left knee injury which held him out of action since last July. Since his return, Nadal has won 43 of the 45 matches he’s played, reaching the final at all nine events he’s contested and winning a Tour-leading seven titles.

“The feeling on court was great. The match[es] against David are always difficult,” Nadal said. “I think the score is much easier than what the match was today. I think for moments I played great. I think a few moments in the match, I played at very, very high level. Eight times here is a lot. I never thought about that. But I will keep practicing with the same passion and intensity to bring my tennis to the highest level possible.”

Nadal is now 20-4 against Ferrer lifetime, scoring his ninth consecutive win Sunday and fourth to date in 2013. Ferrer was looking to become the oldest man to win a Grand Slam title since Andre Agassi at the Australian Open in 2003. With the loss, Ferrer dropped to 37-10 on the season.

 

 

 


Long Island Tennis Magazine Staff
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