French Open final

2022 - 6 - 5

Post cover — Image courtesy of "The Washington Post"

Rafael Nadal defeats Casper Ruud for 14th French Open title (The Washington Post)

Nadal, 36, won his 22nd Grand Slam title Sunday, two more than Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer for the most men's singles major titles.

This year, keeping up with the rapid-fire volleys of the sport’s latest controversy added to that challenge amid deeply held differences over what constitutes fair play during a global crisis. In a sharp rebuke to what they viewed as discrimination, the men’s and women’s pro tours announced that they would withhold ranking points from all Wimbledon competitors this year. Here are some numbers to help digest what’s at stake for the so-called “King of Clay” on Sunday. Rafael Nadal did extremely well to neutralize Casper Ruud’s forehand, arguably his most dangerous shot, through the first few games of the final. Nadal and Ruud have never played, but they do know each other well: Ruud has trained at Nadal’s academy in Spain for years and calls himself a big fan. There have been some ugly, wonky shots through this first set, but Rafael Nadal hasn’t had too much trouble staying steady against Casper Ruud, clearly the more nervous of the two. He’s got a lot more climbing to do. The last time he lost a tour final after winning the first set was 2014 in Rome against Novak Djokovic.— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) pic.twitter.com/zb9bcUsLje June 5, 2022 But he finally clinched the second set on set point No. 4 thanks to a double fault from Casper Ruud. Such has been the story of the match: even with errors, Nadal holds a comfortable lead. Rafael Nadal is pummeling Casper Ruud on the backhand side on his serve to keep him out of sorts. He may retire, having twice alluded to the possibility this may be his last French Open. Nadal covered his face in disbelief upon sending a backhand winner down the line to clinch the victory.

Nadal wins record-extending 14th French Open title with a straight ... (CNN)

Nadal dominated Sunday's final as he won 11 consecutive games across the second and third sets to win a 22nd grand slam title -- two ahead of rivals Roger ...

It's not easy and I'm not the first victim -- I know that there have been many before." "It's something that I for sure never believed I'd be here at 36, being competitive again, playing in the most important court of my career one more final -- it means a lot to me." Nadal's tactic of targeting Ruud's backhand proved effective, but he wobbled at the start of the second set -- first as he squandered break points in the opening game, then when he was broken to love in the fourth game.

2022 French Open men's final: Rafael Nadal wins 14th title at ... (CBSSports.com)

The King of Clay has done it again in Paris, this time dispatching of Casper Ruud in straight sets.

You're crying.— ATP Tour (@atptour) @RafaelNadal We're not crying. 22 (Rafa's version)— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) #RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/PoLK5c6SY4 June 5, 2022 At 19, Nadal was one of the youngest men to ever win the title at Roland Garros. Now at 36, he is the oldest, and he's still setting the bar higher and higher. 🥲🇪🇸— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) pic.twitter.com/5EIXcgpizv June 5, 2022 "I know that there have been many before." #RolandGarros https://t.co/ftNDtf39Wm pic.twitter.com/rcPBiNERMd June 5, 2022 "It's something that I for sure never believed I'd be here at 36, being competitive again. He's now a mind-boggling 112-3 all-time at Roland Garros, and he's never lost in a final. The set ended on Ruud's first double-fault of the match. Nadal, though, broke Ruud for a second time in two tries and did indeed cruise from there. The "King of Clay" lived up to his title once again, overwhelming Casper Ruud 6-3, 6-3, 6-0 to win his 14th career French Open title and 22nd career Grand Slam.

Rafael Nadal vs. Casper Ruud result: 'King of Clay' wins 14th French ... (Sporting News AU)

Rafael Nadal defeated Casper Ruud in straight sets on Sunday to win his 14th French Open title and The Sporting News was on hand to bring you all the live ...

Rafael Nadal is chasing an historic 14th Roland-Garros title while Casper Ruud is into a Grand Slam final for the first time in his career. Ruud's first break opportunity sees him overhit a forehand but Nadal then hits an easy shot into the net and Ruud has the immediate unexpected break. A neat forehand from Ruud leaves Nadal rooted at 15-15 and he repeats the same shot to the back right of the court to go within a point of holding serve. Ruud gets two points back but Nadal survives and moves to within one game of the opening set. Nadal hits a double fault at the worst time though and Ruud has the break! Another sloppy return gifts Nadal set point and the final serve gives Ruud no chance as his wide serve prompts Ruud to accidentally hit the ball into the umpire's chair. Ruud takes advantage of the new balls with some big serves and huge forehands to force Nadal way beyond the baseline to go 30-0 up. But it's third time lucky for Nadal as Ruud double faults. Nadal lures Ruud in with a drop shot which the Norwegian makes but he has no chance with returning the followup forehand. Ruud has no answers at present with Nadal reading his every shot. Ruud now needs to hold to avoid a bagel and prolong what looks like an inevitable Nadal win. Nadal races to a 30-0 lead before Ruud gets on the board as the fifth seed sends one into the net.

LIVE: Rafa's potential last dance as pupil tries to stop master's bid for ... (Fox Sports)

Nadal will be playing in his 14th Roland Garros final on Sunday and 30th overall at the Grand Slams. Victory will deliver a record-extending 22nd major and 14th ...

“Let’s now not just focus on 14 (French Open titles), but 22 (Grand Slam singles titles). He is ahead of Roger and Novak now. But right now, with that little bit of distance, I think Nadal has got a great chance,” he said. I’m going to keep working to try to find a solution and an improvement for what’s happening in the foot,” said Nadal. However, Nadal roared back with a double break for 4-3. “You are a true champion. “If it works, I keep going.

Rafael Nadal defeats Casper Ruud to win 14th French Open title ... (The Guardian)

Nadal saw off Casper Rudd in straight sets to make his 14th French Open the 22nd grand slam title of his career.

And away we go, with Nadal throwing first and winning the first point off a short rally. Ruud takes Nadal to the wire at game point, making his chase down the ball but he makes it, and takes the game, and a commanding lead in the first set. The third point sees him wildly miss the court, and 15-30 is a glimmer for Nadal. But then he nets when the ball seems to have sat up for him to thrash home. Nadal tries for a winner, and misses, and must now serve for the first set. To go to 40-0 up on his serve, the Nadal forehand thrashes a winner down the line. But then the high ball catches out the Norwegian, and a break point to Nadal soon comes. Ruud’s way back in is his forehand, and it takes him to 30-15, then Nadal overhits from the baseline. Ruud opens up the court and blams a forehand home. A winner down the line takes it to 0-30, and Ruud has no answer to history, to the greatest player of all. Then comes a Ruud error for 30-30, though he rights himself by doggedly staying at the net to smash away a series of Nadal attempts to stay in the point. That takes it to 15-30, but just as Ruud seems to have upped the ante, Nadal wins a long rally bu surging forward, opening up the court and drilling home. Up comes Nadal, to chat to Billie-Jean, and lift the trophy for the 14th time.

French Open updates | Nadal says foot was 'asleep' in final (WOKV)

PARIS — (AP) — The Latest on the French Open Grand Slam tennis tournament (all times local):. ___. 6:50 p.m.. Rafael Nadal told TV rights holder Eurosport ...

___ He was the runner-up at the 2020 U.S. Open and won a gold medal in singles at the Tokyo Olympics last year. “Based on the first medical checks, it looks like I have torn several lateral ligaments in my right foot,” Zverev wrote. ___ ___ Crowds were limited by restrictions imposed in 2020 and 2021 because of the coronavirus pandemic. ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___

WATCH LIVE: French Open men's final featuring Rafael Nadal (Home of the Olympic Channel)

Rafael Nadal plays Casper Ruud in the French Open men's singles final, live on NBC Sports and Peacock Premium.

Ruud faced zero top-10 opponents on his way to the final. On Sunday, the 36-year-old will try to lift a major title having beaten four top-10 opponents for the first time. Ruud, 23, idolized Nadal and honed his craft at Nadal’s academy in Mallorca, Spain.

Rafael Nadal, Looking Unbeatable, Wins 14th French Open Title (The New York Times)

Nadal extended his men's singles record of 22 Grand Slam titles with a win in straight sets over Casper Ruud.

His one genuine surge came at the start of the second set, when he broke Nadal’s serve again to take a 3-1 lead but at 30-30 in the next game, Ruud lined up an inside-out forehand and perhaps sensing that excellence was required, went for just too much and missed. Nadal was not at his best early and was at times far from his best: losing his serve in the third game with two double faults and an off-rhythm forehand unforced error into the middle of the net. That forced Nadal to take another extended break and miss most of the clay-court season before returning in Madrid last month. And there was Nadal, with his extreme topspin forehand and hard-wired combativeness. He certainly looked ready for more against Ruud, picking up speed and precision as the match progressed. That was before the final, and on Sunday afternoon after it was over in a hurry, Ruud made it clear in his runner-up speech his that he had not changed his mind. So many records. It just means a lot of energy to try to keep going.” “It means a lot to me, means everything. Carlos Alcaraz, a young Spaniard, seemed to be rising like a rocket. Nadal’s tone of late has been valedictory: he has repeatedly referred to the possibility that he could be playing his final French Open. But after slamming the door on Ruud on Sunday and then hugging him at the net, Nadal made it clear that this was not going to be the tennis equivalent of a walk-off grand slam. Novak Djokovic appeared to be regathering momentum.

French Open final

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