French Open - Nadal wins record eighth title at Roland Garros
Both teams held serve through the dozen games in the final set, Bob Bryan's forehand slashing volley pulling the twins even at 5-5 and Llodra holding serve to put the French within four points of victory at 6-5. But Mike Bryan held serve with Bob Bryan poking a high volley winner to win the game and force the tiebreaker. The Bryans then went on to record their 89th tournament victory as a doubles team in a career dating to 1998. "We really wanted to win another French," said Mike Bryan. "It's been 10 years. This is the first one we won back in the day and kind of launched our career." The brothers recalled their 2003 victory at Roland Garros as an adventure.
For the original version including any supplementary images or video, visit http://straightsets.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/06/08/bryans-beat-a-french-team-to-win-at-roland-garros/
Nadal Makes Major History At Roland Garros; Beats Ferrer In Final
Nadal, who had beaten Ferrer in 16 consecutive clay court clashes coming into the match, made a unsurprisingly confident start, breaking his opponent's serve in just the third game. But Ferrer, playing in his first Grand Slam final in 42 attempts, surprised many by breaking straight back, forcing Nadal deep behind the baseline and drawing a backhand into the net to get things back on level terms. Nadal re-established the break lead in the seventh game before going on to seal the opening set two games later when Ferrer threw in a double fault and a backhand into the net. The third and second sets were unfortunately notable as much for their off-court drama as much as the on-court action. Nadal secured an early break in the second game of the second set, before the rain which had begun to fall late in the first set got heavier and began to cause a few problems for the two players, although there was no delay until early in the third set. Ferrer enjoyed break back points in the fourth game but could not take advantage of them and the second set looked over when Nadal broke for a second time to leave himself serving for the set at 5-1 up.
For the original version including any supplementary images or video, visit http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/news/french-open-nadal-wins-record-eighth-title-roland-153146942.html
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 practising with the same passion and intensity to bring my tennis to the highest level possible." Read Set-By-Set Analysis In triumphing, Nadal broke a tie with six other players for the most titles at a single Grand Slam event (see chart below). The Mallorcan captured his 12th major trophy, moving into a third place tie with Roy Emerson on the all-time list.
For the original version including any supplementary images or video, visit http://www.atpworldtour.com/News/Tennis/2013/06/23/Roland-Garros-Final-Nadal-Defeats-Ferrer.aspx?fb_comment_id=fbc_330525320411617_1586969_330928080371341
Roland Garros produces expected results
Nadal, by contrast, had two shaky matches in the first and second rounds and his semi against Djokovic was a real cliff-hanger which could have gone either way. Federer’s exit to Tsonga in the quarters was a major upset which essentially left the field open to Nadal and Djokovic â€" the former ultimately capitalising on the confidence that comes from a stellar record at the event. Most of the top seeds in both the men’s and women’s singles, however, did perform according to form, with no huge surprises in either event. Tsonga’s passage to the semis was a carrot to the French crowd who had not seen a French winner since Yannick Noah in 1983. Sadly for him, his performance against Ferrer in the semis was well below his best, allowing the Spaniard passage to a final against his fellow countryman, Nadal. Williams’ win now puts her in a strong position to make Wimbledon the third of her Grand Slams this year, in a season in which she has won five titles so far.
For the original version including any supplementary images or video, visit http://www.sport.co.uk/tennis/roland-garros-produces-expected-results/4271215/