Nadal keeps French crown

ByEurosport

Published 11/06/2006 at 15:41 GMT

Despite an attempted late fight back from world number one Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal retained his French Open crown on Sunday in a four set 1-6 6-1 6-4 7-6 thriller at Roland Garros. The victory prolonged the Spaniard's winning streak on clay to 60 cons

And the youngster also remains unbeaten - and seemingly untouchable - at Roland Garros, after he reclaimed the title he won on his first appearance at the Parisian tournament a year ago.

TENNIS 2006 French Open Final Nadal

Image credit: Reuters

Whilst Nadal jumped into the crowd to celebrate with his coaching staff, family and fans at the end of the three hour match, Federer was left to wait another year to claim the one Grand Slam that has so far eluded him during his illustrious career.

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But from the evidence on show on the third Sunday of this year's tournament, it will take an almighty dip in Nadal's form to relinquish his now total dominance of the clay-court game.

Even after having suffered a horrific first set on the Court Chatrier, the 20-year-old had enough in his locker to launch a comeback which Federer ultimately had no answer to.

TOUGH MATCH

"The match has been extremely tough," said Nadal.

TENNIS 2006 French Open Final Rafael Nadal

Image credit: Reuters

"Roger played much better at the beginning, then I was much better in the second. After this, the match was more balanced.

Whilst all the pre-match talk was of a sure-fire classic encounter between the two top ranked players in the world at the moment, the first two sets were a comedy of contrasting fortunes.

Federer bossed the opening exchanges and, after having survived two break points in the first game of the match, the world number one never looked back, making Nadal wait until the sixth game to even trouble the scorekeepers.

Federer took the first set 6-1 in a near-perfect display of tennis that had the centre court crowd purring in appreciation.

TURNAROUND

But whatever the Swiss player managed to do in the first set, Nadal proved he could do better as he took control in the second, reversing the players' respective roles in the match completely.

TENNIS 2006 French Open Final Roger Federer

Image credit: Reuters

Federer began to struggle with his serve, making 16 unforced errors as Nadal showed the world exactly what he is capable of on a clay court, breaking twice to take the set by the same score as his opponent had won the first - 6-1.

And then the difference between the two players became evident.

Whereas Nadal was capable of bouncing back from the disappointment of dropping the first set to one, Federer allowed his poor form in the second to affect him for the rest of the match.

COMMANDING LEAD

Nadal took advantage to put himself in a commanding position and, after he took the third set 6-4, the match looked over as a contest.

TENNIS 2006 French Open Federer R. - Nadal R.

Image credit: dpa

That feeling stayed with everyone but Federer's staunchest supporters right until the end of the fourth set when, with Nadal serving for the match at 5-4, Federer staged a remarkable mini-revival, breaking to take the set to a tie breaker.

But his hopes of taking the match to a fifth and decisive set were dashed as Nadal pulled away, volleying home on the first of two match points to win his second Paris title.

"He played better. He deserves this win because he played better today," said Federer.

"I was close this year. It's a pity but I will come back next year."

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