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A16 sports
Monday 12 october 2020

Perfect in Paris, Nadal overwhelms Djokovic to tie Federer

By HOWARD FENDRICH and Nadal, who came out in- tournament shifted from
JOHN LEICESTER credibly crisply and clean- May-June to September-
AP Sports Writers ly, steering his high-rpm October and crowds were
PARIS (AP) — All the years forehands precisely where limited to 1,000 per day.
of work, all the many wins, he wanted them and using On Sunday, those lucky
led to this moment, with his defense-to-offense abili- enough to attend mainly
Rafael Nadal preparing ties to slide and stretch and were concentrated in not-
to serve against Novak flick balls back with aggres- very-socially-distanced
Djokovic, one point from a sion. "I played at my high- dense clumps in the first 20
13th French Open cham- est level when I needed to or so rows.
pionship, one point from a play at my highest level," "Of course, (it's) an impor-
20th Grand Slam trophy to Nadal said. tant day for me," Nada
tie Roger Federer's record Appearing resigned, said afterward, "but I'm not
for men. Djokovic was less volatile stupid, no? Is still a very sad
Nadal swept his right foot than he often is when he situation worldwide."
along the baseline, clear- Spain's Rafael Nadal celebrates winning the final match of the struggles — such as the The seasonal change led
ing away the red dust as he French Open tennis tournament against Serbia's Novak Djokovic post-point whack of a ball to colder, wetter weather
has so many times before. in three sets, 6-0, 6-2, 7-5, at the Roland Garros stadium in Paris, that inadvertently hit a line than usual, which affects
He rapped his shoes' soles France, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2020. Associated Press judge at the U.S. Open last the way the clay affects
with his racket — right, then month, earning a disqualifi- shots, making them bounce
left, then right again. He times, following previous message on Instagram on cation, his only other loss in lower and slower. Some, in-
discarded one tennis ball streaks of four from 2005- Sunday. 39 matches this season. cluding Nadal, wondered
behind him, another in the 08, then five from 2010-14. "As my greatest rival over Instead, Djokovic puffed his aloud whether that would
pocket of his blue shorts. Those go alongside four many years, I believe we cheeks or rolled his eyes, hinder him, as could the
And then, finally ready to triumphs at the U.S. Open, have pushed each other exasperated with himself, tournament's change to a
proceed, Nadal delivered two at Wimbledon and one to become better players," perhaps, but also unable slightly heavier ball.
an ace at 106 mph to cap a at the Australian Open. Federer wrote, and ended to figure out how to coun- He figured, he said, "this
flawless performance and Nadal made clear that with: "I hope 20 is just anoth- ter what came from the year will probably be too
a surprisingly lopsided 6-0, while he never has been er step on the continuing other side of the net. After difficult."
6-2, 7-5 victory over the No. consumed with the idea of journey for both of us. Well one exchange, he put up So much for that.
1-ranked Djokovic. Nadal catching Federer, he can done, Rafa. You deserve it." his palms, as if to ask, "What He dealt with Djokovic's
dropped to his knees, smil- appreciate the accom- Djokovic's loss, meanwhile, can I do here?" predilection for drop shots
ing broadly, and pumped plishment's significance. left him at 17 majors; had It was only the fourth 6-0 set much better than previ-
his arms. "I would love to finish my he won, the standings lost by Djokovic in 341 ca- ous foes of the 33-year-old
Neither Djokovic, on this career being the player would have read 20-19-18. reer Grand Slam matches. Serb, using anticipation
day, nor Federer, over the with more Grand Slams. No No other man has more As he sat in his sideline seat and speed to dim that
course of time, ever truly doubt about that, no? But than 14. digesting that shutout, four strategy's success.
stood a chance of resisting on the other hand, I say, This was the 56th installment Djokovic supporters in blue "Didn't work great today,
the relentless Nadal. 'OK, I have to do (it) my of Nadal vs. Djokovic, the jerseys and white baseball let's say," Djokovic admit-
"He keeps going. No hold- way. ... I'm not going to be most between men in the hats stood and sang in the ted.Nadal took five of
ing him back, it seems like. thinking all the time, 'Novak professional era. Djokovic stands, their chorus drown- Djokovic's first six service
It's amazing. I mean, I ad- (has) this one, Roger is win- is ahead 29-27 now, includ- ing out the light pitter-pat- games and broke seven
mire all his achievements, ning the other one.' You ing his 6-3, 6-2, 6-3 win at ter of drizzle hitting the re- times in all.
especially the one here," can't be always unhappy the 2019 Australian Open tractable roof. Nadal faced only five
said Djokovic, who had because your neighbors final. The much-anticipated break points himself, saving
won his last five Grand Slam have a bigger house than "In Australia, he killed me. ... matchup between these four.
finals. you or a bigger boat or Today was for me," Nadal two titans of their sport was More than two hours in,
"There's not much you can have a better phone," said. the first indoor French Open when Djokovic employed
say," Djokovic said. "All the Nadal said. The key statistic Sunday: men's final, contested un- a backhand winner to get
superlatives that you can "In terms of these records, Nadal limited himself to 14 der Court Philippe Cha- his lone break, making it
use, he deserves them." of course I care. I am a unforced errors, impressive trier's new cover. From its 3-all in the third set, he let
It's the fourth time the No. big fan of the history of against anyone, but espe- stand in the VIP section, the out a couple of roars and
2-ranked Nadal won his fa- sport, in general. I respect, cially someone the caliber Coupe des Mousquetaires waved his arms to ask for
vorite tournament without a lot, that," he continued. of Djokovic, who accumu- trophy glistened under the more noise from fans.
ceding a set and made his "For me, (it) means a lot to lated 52. artificial lights. Too little, too late. Less than
career mark at the French share this number with Rog- "He's phenomenal," Djokov- This also was the first French a half-hour later, it was
Open 100-2. er, no?" ic said. "He played a per- Open contested with play- over.
No, that is not a typo. Federer, 39, sat out the U.S. fect match, especially in ers walking on court wear- "Rafa has proven every-
The 34-year-old left-hander Open and French Open af- the first two sets." ing masks on account body wrong," Djokovic
from Spain has won his fa- ter two knee operations. He The first set was a 45-minute of the coronavirus pan- said. "That's why he's a
vorite event four straight posted a congratulatory master class conducted by demic, also the reason the great champion."q