Rafael Nadal overcome the challenge of world number one Novak Djokovic to win the French Open for the seventh time in his career at Roland Garros this afternoon.
Clay court specialist Nadal began the stronger of the players as he went about imposing his powerful style on the contest. He made the most of that domination by breaking Djokovic at the first attempt, while also holding his two services games to take a 3-0 lead.
Just when it looked as though Nadal would run away with the opening set, Djokovic showed his mettle with a string of forehand winners to win the next three games to level up the score.
Nadal responded by holding his own service game before the set swung back in his favour with another break of the Serbian's serve. Despite holding his next service game, Djokovic was powerless to prevent Nadal from taking the first set 1-0.
The Spaniard's start to the second set mirrored the way that he began the match when he stole Djokovic's serve to open up a 2-0 advantage. Back came Djokovic with a break of his own to level up proceedings at two games apiece.
Both players then went on to hold their next service games, before Nadal grasped control with his second break of the set to open up a 4-3 advantage.
Despite a short rain delay, Nadal returned to the court the brighter of the two and went on to win the set 6-3 courtesy of a powerful forehand return to a deep Djokovic serve.
The Serb spurned break points in the opening game of the third set as Nadal battled back to take a 1-0 lead. Worse was to come for Djokovic, who then surrendered another of service games to his opponent.
However, Djokovic then produced the form that has seen him currently ranked the world's best player by winning the next six games in succession to take the match into a fourth set as the rain continued to fall.
The wet conditions finally ended play for the day with Djokovic 2-1 and a break up in the fourth set, meaning that the players would return today to conclude the final on a different day for only the second time in the competition's history.
Upon their return to the Philippe Chatrier court this afternoon Nadal drew level with yet another break of the Djokovic serve at the first time of asking.
As the set progressed both players made light work of their service games, with break points few and far between.
The first one fell Nadal's way with him leading 6-5 and he went on to claim the crown courtesy of a double fault from Djokovic.
The loss has prevented Novak Djokovic from holding all four Grand Slam titles at the same time, while Nadal has become the first player of the Open era to win the French Open seven times.
Liam Apicella
