Rafael Nadal won the 2011 French Open after a scintillating final against Roger Federer, beating him 7-5 7-6 (7-3) 5-7 6-1, on the Court Philippe Chatrier at Roland Garros.
The Spaniard won his sixth French Open championship, equalling Bjorn Borg's record, and retained his title as World Number One, in a four-set match that involved both players playing to the top of their game and proving why they have been so dominant in previous years in Paris. Nadal has now won 10 Grand Slam titles from 12 finals.
After winning the coin toss, Federer chose to serve, taking the first game with relative ease. However, Nadal made some costly mistakes in the second game, but managed to take it to deuce, but Federer took the fourth break point on offer, before winning the third game with a brilliant ace and the classic Federer serve-volley, extending his lead to 3-0.
Nadal avoided a second break, winning a highly-contested game, but it wasn't enough to settle his nerves. Federer's third service game saw more unforced errors from Nadal, as Federer's powerful backhand began to pull off angles only possible here at Roland Garros, with the swirling wind. Federer proved his dominance, with a cross-court return in the sixth game, which he ploughed into the back corner of the court, but it wasn't enough to avoid losing the game.
Federer played some exceptional cross-court shots to take the score to 5-2, before Nadal called for the trainer, unveiling a heavily-taped foot, which the BBC's Andrew Castle said 'may explain what has happened so far'. The Spaniard looked to have taken his eye off the game, serving a wild double fault, before Federer's incredible form shut out Nadal, winning four consecutive points to take him to set point, but Nadal recovered to allow for Federer to serve out the set. Not all went to plan though, after further unforced errors allowed for Nadal to break and take the set to 5-4.
The sun-baked clay was slowly becoming the scene of a great tennis match, with the wind, heat and crowd all becoming factors as to who would take the trophy home. Nadal's comeback was led by his serve, and after winning his third consecutive game, and taking the set to 5-5, Federer's earlier supremacy had diminished and the world number one started to prove why he had that title. Incredible rally after incredible rally followed, but Nadal's new-found confidence brought another break point, which he took, and then in his service game, brought a set point, and after 62 minutes, Nadal took the first set 7-5.
The first 12 games of the 2011 French Open Final could not have been more different. The on-court movement from both men saw some quite remarkable shots being played, but since the appearance of Nadal's trainer, it was all about the Spaniard, and Federer could not get a foot in the door. If he was playing anyone else, however, he'd have already won the game, never mind the first set, but it proves just how good these two are - the greatest of all time versus the world number one.
Federer's confidence looked to have completely disappeared, and shots that would have seemed so simple to the Swiss early on in the match ended up in the net, allowing for Nadal to break again, and then serve out the second game too. Federer won the third game to break the run of seven consecutive games for Nadal, but could not return to the form that has won him 17 Grand Slams, and further errors allowed for Nadal to take the fourth game of the set, and lead 3-1.
Two big aces and two incredibly powerful one-handed backhands pulled the next game from double break point to Nadal to a Federer win, and the elegance of the former world number one's shots led to a roar from the crowd in Paris. These shots continued, however Nadal also joined the party, pulling off some quite brilliant down-the-line shots to take the score to 4-2.
A big 40-0 game win for Federer pulled the set back to 4-3, and further encouragement from the crowd saw his confidence return. Some quite exquisite shots, including a beautiful back-court backhand and an incredible rally where he forced Nadal into every corner of the court whilst playing with ease, saw him break Nadal for the first time since the third game of the first set. However, despite playing some more wonderful tennis, Federer could not get a grasp on the ninth game, and Nadal took another break point to lead 5-4. Again, Nadal took a stronghold on the next game and looked like to win the second set, but at 40-40, we saw the expected rain, and play was suspended.
The 10-minute rain delay allowed for the players to have a brief rest, but Nadal returned with a slight unease to his game. Federer managed to save set point, and gain a break point himself, which he won after an unforced error from the Spaniard, who seemed a little shaken after the rain. The clay, although very moist, retained the heavy bounce we have seen throughout the tournament, which Federer used to his advantage, using the momentum gained from the previous few points, winning the eleventh game, and turning the score around to 6-5.
The crowd were behind Federer, but Nadal's determination won him the game, taking the set to 6-6, and a tie-break. Nadal took the initiative, and led 4-0, before the Swiss began to up his game. However, Nadal's forehand was far too much, and he won the tie-break 7-3, to lead the match 2-0.
Federer needs to wake up now - he is playing thinking his reputation will win the match for him. Although his shots are elegant and beautifully played, he isn't playing well enough to force his way into the game. Nadal is playing some great shots, and winning the games, but at times he is riding his luck, and Federer needs to react to that. You get the feeling that if things stay like this, the match will be over very, very quickly.
Nadal, who recorded an Open Era record-equalling sixth victory at the French Open, played some very simplistic shots in order to open up the third set, but Federer continued to make unforced errors, and the Spaniard took the first game. A strong service game from Federer, including a majestic ace, managed to pull the score back to 1-1, but the world number one silenced the crowd with some great serves, to lead the set.
A closely-fought fourth game was won through brute force, with Federer attacking the ball and taking the score to 2-2. Nadal completed the next game in a very efficient way, taking each point in three or four shots. Federer's next game was a disaster, with Nadal winning three break points to take the set to 4-2. His serve was nowhere to be seen, and the lacklustre performance in the game summed up his match.
But three break-back points was enough for Federer to turn his game around, and several drop shots allowed for the set to hit 4-4. Nadal won the game on his serve, before he won the game on his serve, and suddenly the Swiss looked to be on top of this set. Crucial shots began to go in his favour, and the powerful elegance we saw all through the match broke Nadal, put Federer 6-5 up in the set, and allowed him to win two set points on his serve, and take the third set 7-5. The Roland Garros crowd made a noise never heard before, as the court erupted with eager tennis fans cheering.
What a third set - back and forth, back and forth. Federer looked dead and buried at the start of the set, but he turned it around and his mentality changed, allowing for a change to his game, and suddenly he was hungry to win that trophy. After three games, he looked a broken man. After three sets, it's now all to play for.
Nadal started the fourth set with a look of dismay in his eyes - the expectation of winning in three sets suddenly over in 20 minutes. Within minutes he was facing three break points, but he turned it around to take the game and start the set in a manner in which he wished it to continue. Federer has a way with the tennis ball that he can place it wherever he wants on the court, and he used this to his advantage to take the second game with such accuracy. However, Nadal can do the same, and with such precision, placed the ball in areas that Federer could not reach, to lead the fourth set 2-1.
A double fault led the Spaniard to three break points, which he took, but this was no excuse for Federer's poor serve during the fourth game. He dragged his serve, allowing for faults to appear. The crowd booed Nadal at the end of the fifth game, as he walked off the court before the umpire had confirmed an 'out' call. Federer played some great tennis, but Nadal, again, played better, allowing him to lead 4-1.
Another break led Nadal to 5-1, despite Federer's incredible fightback. His poise was wonderful, likewise his movement on-court, but Nadal was just a little bit better, allowing for Nadal to serve for the championship. As the sun again lit up Paris, the King of Clay was crowned again, winning three championship points and blinked away tears. Federer, always magnanimous in defeat, embraced the Spaniard at the end, but it wasn't enough to stop the disappointment showing on his face. Nadal's unbelievable tournament finished in style, but leaves both players in great shape for Wimbledon in two weeks' time.
An incredible game that neither player deserved to lose. If Federer had played anyone else, then he would have crushed his opponent. But Nadal is too strong on clay, and this will lead to a three-way tug at Wimbledon between these two greats, and Novak Djokovic. A prospect to savour.
Big thanks to the BBC Sport team for the photos used in this post.
Taken from General Musings of an Idiot: http://www.gmoai.com
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