Rafa Nadal and Iga Swiatek reign supreme at French Open

Pranav Vishwamitra 08:42 12/10/2020
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  • Rafael Nadal demolished world number one Novak Djokovic 6-0 6-2 7-5 in the French Open final to claim a record-equalling 20th Grand Slam title on Sunday.

    Meanwhile, the unseeded Iga Swiatek became the first Polish player to win a Grand Slam singles title after her 6-4, 6-1 victory over Sofia Kenin.

    Here’s a look at some of the highlights of the tournament:

    World No.1 vs the King of Clay

    After all these years, Nadal versus Djokovic is still a hot topic of discussion, and the pair faced each other for the 56th time.

    Prior to the decider in the French capital, Djokovic held an edge over Nadal (29-26) and had beaten him in their last three Grand Slam matches.

    However, Djokovic was no match for Nadal on this occasion, as the Spaniard prevailed 6-0, 6-2, 7-5 in 2 hours and 41 minutes.

    The 34-year-old has built his Grand Slam tally largely at Roland Garros and has compiled a 100-2 record since making his debut as a 19-year-old in Paris back in 2005.

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    Merci Paris!!! Merci a tous!!!! 🎾 #Vamos 😉

    A post shared by Rafa Nadal (@rafaelnadal) on

    Swiatek makes tennis history of a high order

    The Polish national anthem reverberated around the Philippe Chatrier Court as Swiatek created history by defeating reigning Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin 6-4, 6-1.

    Swiatek entered the tournament having completed her high-school diploma and considered her WTA Tour as a “gap year” before deciding on her education future.

    The 19-year-old overcame the likes of world number one Simona Halep and Eugenie Bouchard en route to a stunning maiden crown.

    Swiatek’s powerful forehand and angled groundstrokes ensured her success without dropping a set throughout the tournament.

    Jabeur is pride of tennis in the Middle East

    Tunisia’s Ons Jabeur made French Open history when she became the first Arab woman to reach the last-16 of the clay court Slam.

    The 26-year-old defeated Belarusian eighth seed Aryna Sabalenka 7-6, 2-6, 6-3 in a two-hour battle to achieve the milestone.

    Her sizzling run in Paris came to an end when she lost to fourth seed Kenin 6-2, 6-0.

    Nevertheless, it was a quality campaign for the ever-impressive Tunisian.

    A tale of a late bloomer

    Martina Trevisan is a player who personifies the resilience of those who have found a way through.

    The 26-year-old was diagnosed with anorexia and, grappling to cope with the complexities of the disorder, quit tennis aged 16.

    Having failed in her first nine attempts at a Grand Slam main draw, the 2020 French Open was the start of her comeback story, as she defeated Coco Gauff and Maria Sakkari.

    The Italian continued her remarkable form as she shocked fifth seed Kiki Bertens in straight sets 6-4, 6-4 for her first-ever victory over a top-10 player, earning a spot in the quarter-final.

    Tennis became a part of her healing and, discussing her comeback, she said: “It’s a message to other people that are suffering right now not to give up. Never give up.”

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    💪🏽💪🏽😖😖

    A post shared by Martina Trevisan (@martitrevi) on

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