British Tennis - Lawn Tennis Association

Super Sixth for Nadal

Rafael Nadal claimed his sixth French Open title in Paris with a thrilling 7-5, 7-6(3), 5-7, 6-1 win over great rival Roger Federer to equal Bjorn Borg’s record haul of Roland Garros titles.

The Spanish World No.1 recovered from 2-5 down to win the first set after a fast start from Federer.  Play was delayed by rain for 10 minutes in the second set with Nadal serving for the set at 5-4.  On the resumption Federer broke back but Nadal eased through the tie-break and opened a 4-2 lead in the third.

At this stage Federer produced some of his best tennis of the match to break back and then broke Nadal again before claiming the set 7-5 to reduce the deficit to two sets to one.  The Swiss third seed then held three break points at the start of the fourth set but saw the top seed fight back.  Nadal proceeded to break Federer twice in the fourth and completed victory after three hours and 43 minutes when Federer sent a forehand long.

Junior Singles Final

Bjorn Fratangelo became the first American to win the Boy’s singles title at Roland Garros since 1977 when he saw off 14^th seed Dominic Thiem in an exciting final.  The 17 year-old came from a set down on Court 1 to win his first junior Grand Slam title 3-6, 6-3, 8-6.

In the Girl’s final Tunisian Ons Jabeur became the first girl from North Africa to win a junior Grand Slam title as she saw off fifth seed Monica Puig 7-6(8), 6-1. The 16 year-old was a finalist 12 months ago and used that experience to clinch a titanic first set and pull away from Puig in the second set.