Roland Garros Crown Firmly Screwed onto Rafa's Head

"I want 7"

Neutral Omes:

Rafael Nadal has done it again. The King of Clay took on Roger Federer, saving his best tennis for last to clinch his 6^th Roland Garros trophy; equalling Bjorn Borg’s record and securing his world no. 1 ranking. This is the tenth Grand Slam title for the Mallorcan. It was another special, high-quality match between these two great rivals of the game. One thing’s certain – Roger Federer did not lose this match; Nadal won it.

It’s hard to imagine that this was the same man as last week’s Nadal who bluntly admitted that he was relatively low in confidence and didn’t feel as if he had being playing well enough to win the tournament. Last week saw a scare in his opening round; close 3-set matches against qualifiers; a flurry of forehand errors; a decreased weight of shot; a tentative backhand and a slight decline in movement. But by the second week Nadal seemed to wrap all that into a Babolat ball and smack it off the Eiffel Tower as he was very much back to his sensational form.

Ooooh, look who's all ready and rearing to go!

As the final’s 75 76 57 61 score line suggests, the match was competitive from start to finish with both men taking advantage of the others’ troughs in intensity; and making the most of their own peaks. Federer carried the form that he’d maintained throughout the tournament into the match and Nadal had to play at 100% of himself to close out the win. But that he did.

The Swiss came out firing; leading 52 in the first set, but Nadal showed that resilience we’re used to seeing to fight back and take the set from him. Momentum was with Nadal in the 2^nd set right up until set point, when the heavens opened and rain suddenly and uninvitingly broke out sending the players off court briefly. Federer would have thanked said heavens though because he managed to break and take the set to a tie-break. However Nadal regained momentum and steamrolled ahead winning to 3.

Mickey trying to steal Rafa's shine. Back off Mickey.

Nadal continued in the 3^rd set delivering crushing blows, but this time it was the Federer’s turn to fight. A slip in the Spaniard’s concentration allowed the Swiss to break to love in the 7^th game and his “light’s-out” form that he began the match with returned for the rest of the set to see him seize it. 

The final set was more competitive than the score suggested but Nadal was a man on a mission, playing incredible tennis, taking all his chances and denying Federer all his, to win the championships. 

He's like the prince Spain has never had

His belief, determination, honesty and approach these past two weeks has shown the world why he has conquered all surfaces; remained the world's best for 100 weeks; has ten Slam trophies and an Olypmic gold medal in his cabinet; and why he’s such a deserving champion.

I bet all you lil' critters are wondering what Fanatic Omes has to say about this. Well go'on and click "Read more" to find out, ya hear.

Li Na is the Roland Garros Champion

(Pic: Reuters)

Neutral Omes:

Congratulations to the new Roland Garros champion, Li Na. Her performance epitomised grit, will, heart and resilience. She's achieved so much for China and thoroughly deserves everything she gets. She's a phenomenal personality with a big game and a big heart. Long may her run continue. 

Fanatic Omes:

Yay Li Na! I just love her, never mind I'm convinced I'm part Asian. Very happy for her and it's nice to see a new Roly G champion. Words of advice/reassurance to hubby: happy wife, happy life. Now go and enjoy some much-deserved champagne.
 

Roger and Rafa together again.

(Pic: AP)

Neutral Omes:

16 time Grand Slam champion Roger Federer showed us that he wasn't done yet by becoming the first man to beat the insatiable Novak Djokovic in 2011 and secure a place in yet another Slam final - something that we became quite accustomed to not seeing, (much to our surprise) in 2010. He will now try to achieve what only one man has done before - taking out long time rival - the reigning King of Clay, Rafael Nadal, in Roland Garros. His record against the Spaniard in the tournament - 0 and 3, certainly shows up the Swiss meastro as the underdog, but don't count him out just yet - after all he'd been 0 and 3 to Novak Djokovic all year. And look what happened.

Fanatic Omes:

Peeing my pants. (Vamos Rafito).
 

Catfight!

(Pic: Reuters)

Neutral/Fanatic Omes:

No time to do a preview post of the women's final, but this pretty much says it all nicely. Very nicely indeed.

The Semi-Final of Dreams

Neutral Omes:

Roland Garros this year has looked the most competitive it has been for the last five years or so. Only fitting then that the best competitors – the best four in the world, have pulled through. With doubt being raised over the resident King of Clay’s dominance this year, the other rivals are surely feelinng that the crown is more within their reach than it ever has been; and are therefore looking to grab the bull (aka Nadal) by the horns.

Don’t take my word for it. Just ask them:

 “I can definitely win.” - Murray

Andy Murray has shown grit and determination all tournament even in the face of injury; fighting time and time again from break points down to close out matches, and now has made his first ever Roland Garros semi-final. He hasn’t come all this way just to be satisfied with getting to this point, and has the self-belief to pass the ultimate test in Nadal and go even further.

"For me, the plan is trying to get a step further and into the final of the French Open.” - Federer

Roger Federer has looked in impervious form all through this tournament and remains the only semi-finalist not to have dropped a set. He’s looking to get his revenge on Novak Djokovic who he has lost to three times this year, but the 16 time Grand Slam champion no doubt relishes the challenge.

“I’m ready...and eager to get more wins.” - Djokovic

What more can be said about 2011’s champion, Novak Djokovic? Winning against Federer would not only give the Serb his much coveted world no. 1 ranking, but would see him equal John McEnroe’s 42-match undefeated streak from the start of a season. And insistent that his recent four-day break hasn’t interrupted his rhythm, he most certainly has the confidence and form to do so.

“Today I was ready to beat the no. 5 in the world...we will see what’s going on [in the] next round.” - Nadal

Nadal has regained his confidence after an emphatic dismissal of Soderling his quarter-final match. The Spaniard was much happier with the form and attitude, but remains ever modest, understanding the difficult road that lies between him and victory. There is no doubt however that he will give it his absolute all in order to re-assert his authority on clay; and for any opponent that is a scary proposition.

Click "Read more" to view my silly, but unashamed thoughts.