Rafael Nadal crushed Casper Ruud on Sunday to carry a record-extending 14th French Open trophy and enhance his lead on the prime of the listing of males's Grand Slam champions.
There was a way of deja vu because the Spaniard, who turned 36 on Friday, swept apart Norwegian Ruud 6-3, 6-3, 6-0 on a balmy afternoon in Paris to make sure he has gained each time he has reached the ultimate on the claycourt Grand Slam.
By lifting the Musketeers' Cup once more, Nadal was midway by the calendar Grand Slam for the primary time in his profession after he gained the 12 months's opening main on the Australian Open.
Victory gave Nadal a record-extending twenty second Grand Slam title and put him two away from world primary Novak Djokovic of Serbia and Swiss Roger Federer within the males's race for probably the most main titles.
Just like his leadup to the Melbourne Park main, Nadal arrived at Roland Garros with persistent health doubts after struggling a rib stress fracture and a continual foot harm.
AS IT HAPPENED: Nadal vs Ruud stay rating, 2022 French Open closing: Nadal beats Ruud in straight units, wins 14th French Open title
However Nadal, who handed fellow Spaniard Andres Gimeno because the oldest Roland Garros males's singles champion, once more proved that even at lower than 100% he's nonetheless a mountain too steep to beat on the purple clay of Roland Garros.
He obtained a standing ovation as he walked onto Courtroom Philippe Chatrier below overcast skies as followers livened up the environment with drums and trumpets.
The Spaniard, who has a statue erected in his honour on the claycourt area in Western Paris, kickstarted the social gathering early for his followers.
Nadal and Ruud had by no means performed a aggressive match earlier than Sunday, however the duo have hit collectively loads of occasions on the Spaniard's academy in Mallorca and the Norwegian stated he has by no means gained a follow set in opposition to his idol.
The document will keep the identical after Sunday in favour of Nadal who's 13 years older than the Norwegian.
Ruud has led the boys's Tour for the reason that begin of the 2020 season in claycourt wins, finals and titles and was the primary man from his nation to make a Grand Slam singles closing however he didn't have sufficient in his armoury to problem Nadal.
BLISTERING START
Nadal made a blistering begin, racing to a 2-0 lead with an excellent forehand passing shot securing his first break of Ruud's serve.
However regardless of all his expertise on the claycourt Grand Slam, there have been nonetheless nerves for the Spaniard as he frittered away his early benefit with two unforced errors off his forehand and two double faults.
Nadal's vicious top-spin forehand, nonetheless, quickly discovered its vary and he began making use of stress to Ruud's backhand to safe a break and canter to a 4-1 lead.
The Norwegian confirmed off his much-acclaimed forehand but it surely was not sufficient to cease Nadal from profitable the opening set.
Ruud raised his degree at first of the second, saving three break factors to carry serve within the opening recreation and earned reward from his opponent when he charged down the size of the court docket to succeed in a drop shot to show it right into a winner.
The Norwegian quickly broke Nadal to like to take a lead for the primary time within the match but it surely proved shortlived as Nadal worn out his benefit within the subsequent recreation.
From 3-1 down, Nadal gained the following 5 video games to place himself a set away from victory.
Ruud's hopes of stretching the competition disappeared rapidly with the left-hander now absolutely within the temper to placed on a present, and it was one-way visitors as Nadal reeled off 11 video games in a row stretching over the second and third units.
He put Ruud out of his distress on his second championship level with a backhand winner down the road, ending the competition in two hours and 18 minutes.
