2022 French Open men’s singles final live: Rafael Nadal versus Casper Ruud

Nadal opens with a stunning crosscourt backhand pass and follows it up with an even better drop shot. The Spaniard races to the net to push another winner up the line before a strong serve sees him consolidate to love.

The break back King is at it again! Ruud recovers from 15-30 but then blows a forehand way off court to cough up another break point. Nadal engages him in a tense rally and the Norwegian leaves too much space to his right trying to protect the backhand wing. Nadal does just enough to force a slice wide and punches the air in delight.

Here we go! Ruud takes charge in Set 2. Nadal blows a make-able forehand and then teases a serve and volley into the net. A superb rally follows but goes the way of the Norwegian to tee up triple break point. Nadal wobbles badly and double faults to drop serve to love.

Casper is beginning to produce more of his best tennis. The Norwegian scorches an impressive forehand winner up the line before finishing off a hold for the loss of one point with a well-executed serve and volley.

Nadal rips a trio of backhand winners to claim a super hold to 15. Ruud produced the pick of the points as he chased down a drop shot to flick it out of the Spaniard’s reach but it wasn’t enough in the end.

How big will that hold be? Nadal pushes the No.8 seed back and forces a succession of errors to clock up two more break points. The Spaniard is disappointed with a backhand volley that hits the net before missing a mid-court forehand by a whisker. Ruud hooks a backhand wide to cough up a third chance from deuce but blasts away a forehand before a devilish drop shot outfoxes his opponent. Another huge crosscourt forehand gets him out of dodge and should be a major lift at the start of Set 2.

Ruud slams a forehand down the line to crank up some heat at 15-30. Nadal responds with a trio of clutch serves to seal the set in 48 minutes.

That’s Ruud’s best game by some distance. He sizzles a forehand winner that has been the hallmark of his run to the final before digging out a sensational low volley from Nadal’s driven pass. It’s a hold to 15 and poses that serve-out question to the No.5 seed.

Ruud slips as he hits a tame forehand into the net before failing to make the most of a heavy volley from Nadal. The Spaniard corks a forehand up the line but then miscues on two to give his opponent a lifeline. A brilliant rally ensues with Rafa poking a backhand pass up the line to clinch the game after an exchange of drop-shots at the net.

That’s more like it from Casper. A couple of big serves and a sumptuous baseline drop shot helps see him through after Nadal had threatened with a couple of huge forehands.

This time Nadal makes no mistake to consolidate to 15. A forehand up the line suggests any nerves may be evaporating before he picks off a high bouncing drop shot with a routine pass. Ruud responds with a splendid drive volley but a big serve from the 13-time champion ends the game in style.

That’s not one Ruud will want to see again either. He blows a couple of forehands way off court and makes life difficult for himself at deuce. Nadal doesn’t have to do much to earn another break point and the Norwegian’s next forehand barely makes the net.

That’s a shocker from Nadal. He’s literally given Ruud a major lift without the Norwegian having to do much. The Spaniard loops an overcooked forehand long and then chucks in two double faults in a row to hand over a couple of break points. Ruud blows the first but Nadal slaps a tame forehand into the net. Neither player covered themselves in glory there. Back on serve.