Sixth French Open Win For Nadal

Some records in tennis go back quite a few years ago, waiting for a new generation to be able to go one better.

Happily that time has arrived, with Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal at the top of their game.
Excellent tennis tournaments deserve great settings such as Roland Garros in Paris, France. Built in 1928 the stadium is named after pioneer aviator and World War I hero Roland Garros. “Le Stade de Roland Garros” has twenty courts.

Great tennis demands great players. Two of the best graced Philippe Chatrier Court at Roland Garros this past Sunday. Switzerland’s Roger Federer has won 16 Grand Slam singles titles.

He has a number three ranking from the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP). He was born in Basel, Switzerland and lives in Bottmingen, Switzerland.

Rafael Nadal has ten Grand Slam singles titles to his credit. The ATP currently ranks him number one. He won the 2008 Olympic gold medal in singles. Nadal was born in Majorca, one of the Balearic Islands located in the Mediterranean Sea. An island off Spain, it’s well known as a tourist destination.

The first set at Roland Garros saw Nadal stage a comeback. Federer took the lead 3-0, and seemed to be cruising. However, Nadal began to find his stroke and made the set 3-1. Federer then managed to hold his serve and did take a 4-1 lead. Nadal subsequently held his serve and the score was 4-2 in favor of Federer.

Back and forth, Federer held serve again and was now leading 5-2. Nadal replied in like, holding serve and the set was now 5-3. Next, Nadal earned a break point at 30-40, and then Federer hit the net with his reply shot. It was now 5-4 in this first set. Nadal proceeded to hold serve and make the set 5-5.

Federer netted his ball on the second break point and Nadal went ahead 6-5. Top-notch serving in the next game gave Nadal a 7-5 lead and the set win.

In the second set Nadal held off a strong surge from Federer. Early on he broke serve and took a 2-0 lead, and then led 3-1. Nadal’s topspin forehand was beginning to pay dividends for him. However, Federer began his surge and made the set 3-2.

The players exchanged service games and the score went to 4-3 in favor of the Majorcan Nadal. On a third break point, Nadal faltered, and now the second set was even at 4-4. Nadal replied by garnering three break points. On the third, he gained his break advantage and was now leading the set 5-4.

A brief rain caused a small delay; upon resumption of play, Federer tied the set at 5-5. Next, some robust serves by Federer saw him take a 6-5 lead. Nadal forced a tiebreak, however, when he held serve and made the score 6-6.

In the tiebreaker for the second set, Federer committed early, unforced errors. In the end, he lost this crucial part of the match (tiebreaker score 7-3) giving Nadal a two set lead.

In the third set, Federer showed why he is still one of the best in the sport. He was down in the set 3-2, and then 4-2. He fought back the next game to close the gap to 4-3 for Nadal. The players held serve and the set became tied at 5-5.

Federer subsequently earned three break points; he took a 6-5 lead in this third set. He continued his strong play and took the set 7-5. The match suddenly took on a new complexion as these premier players continued to battle.

In the fourth set, on Nadal’s service, Federer had three break points. Nadal countered, winning five straight points, and took a 1-0 lead. Federer responded the next game and the fourth set was now tied 1-1.

Rafael Nadal was on a mission and this set became 3-1, then 4-1 in his favor. He then broke Federer’s serve and took a 5-1 lead. Strong serving by Nadal took him the rest of the way and the set ended 6-1 in his favor. Game, Set, Match, and the French Open was his.

At 25 years of age, Rafael Nadal still has many opportunities to redefine the tennis record books. Of course, Roger Federer still has much to offer the tennis world as well, being a fierce competitor. It all means there’s more first-rate Grand Slam tennis on the horizon – and no one’s complaining – just waiting for wimbledon in a few eeks time.

More information about Majorca is available with www.yourmajorca.net

A weather forecast, flight and airport information and a map are just some of the resources available for holidays in Majorca over the summer.