Rafael Nadal entered the record book by winning his 10th French Open title yesterday defeating Stan Wawrinka in straight sets. The win also earned him his 15th Grand Slam crown.
The 31-year-old triumphed 6-2, 6-3, 6-1. His collection of Slams now stands just three behind great rival Roger Federer. This is the first time Nadal has won in Paris without dropping a set.
It was the 22nd Slam final for Nadal; just the fourth for Wawrinka, the oldest man in the championship match in 44 years. Yesterday was also the first time since 1969 that the Roland Garros featured two men over 30 in the final.
Wawrinka had the first break point in the third game but he couldn’t take advantage and it proved to be the only break point he earned all afternoon.
From there, it was all downhill for the Swiss star. Nadal was unable to convert four break points in the fourth game. No matter as he broke through for 4-2 and then went to set point in the eighth game after a relentless forehand barrage sapped the will out of Wawrinka.
A backhand which sailed long gave Nadal the first set with the Spaniard having crunched 10 winners to Wawrinka’s four while committing half the unforced errors. Nadal forced Wawrinka into another forehand error to break for 2-0 in the second set before the Swiss halted a run of seven games lost with a hold for 1-3.
But the script remained the same, Nadal taking the set in ninth game, just moments after Wawrinka had destroyed a racquet in utter frustration.
First game of the third set and Nadal broke again as Wawrinka suffered further damage. He was soon a double break to the good for 4-1, held for 5-1 and then claimed a huge slice of history when Wawrinka limply dropped a backhand into the net.
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