Rafael Nadal rallied from being a set down against Novak Djokovic to win his ninth title at Roland Garros, the fifth in a row, something no other player has done before on clay in Paris. The two rivals played spectacular tennis over the course of three and a half hours. The match was a delight for an audience that turned throughout the match to support both sides. As gladiators in a Roman arena, but this time in Paris, they both knew that the fight had to be life or death, and what a match it was.
Rafael Nadal sought to maintain his position as the number one ranked tennis player on earth and a place in the history books: this became his ninth title at the same Grand Slam. Novak Djokovic was looking to clinch his first Roland Garros and regain the lead in the world rankings that he lost in September last year. The game started with both players at a good level, but showing some nervousness. Despite both players winning their service games, Djokovic gained an early advantage.
Novak Djokovic took the first set 6-3, a key fact given that before today, whenever the Serb had won the first set in the final of a tournament had taken the trophy. However, losing the first set served as an incentive to Nadal who fought harder than ever. He produced somebest shots to take the rest of the second set 7-5. Djokovic began to weaken, making some key unforced errors. Nadal sped through the third set and then fought hard in the fourth, winning his ninth French Open at 6-4.
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